Training & Development

Youth Summer Camp

Youth Summer Camp

Join us as we continue the spirit of DFI and the Ajyal Film Festival through a selection of creative online workshops with world-renowned mentors this summer.

These inspiring courses are open to participants aged between 8–17 years old and are specially designed to nurture storytelling skills through hands-on personal projects that encourage both creative and critical thinking.

Taught by acclaimed artists and filmmakers, each of our workshops is centred on Ajyal's values and follows a curriculum and philosophy of active learning—leading up to our ever-popular Ajyal Jury Programme later this year!

To register for any of our exciting summer camp workshops below, simply email youth@dohafilminstitute.com.

We hope to see you at one soon!


Workshop: Silhouette Animation

Start date:
1 August
Ability Level:
Beginner

This course introduces participants to the basics of silhouette animation techniques. It engages students in interactive exercises to help them generate ideas, develop a story, build characters—and ultimately create a short silhouette animated film.

Inspired by a presentation of short silhouette animated films, thought-provoking theoretical discussions and hands-on practical exercises—participants in this workshop will make a one-minute animated film.

The workshop is a hands-on introduction for young people to the different techniques required for creating and producing a stop-motion silhouette animated film. Participants will learn the tricks and techniques that will give them a deeper appreciation of this form of artistic storytelling. During the workshop, participants are introduced to the different stop-motion techniques, and to the "Three Act" storytelling formula to help them generate ideas, develop characters and create compelling plots. Using concrete examples and working in groups, at the end of the workshop, all participants will contribute to making a short-animated film of their own.

Age Group:  13 – 17 years old
Level: Beginner
Price: QR 450*
Dates: 1 – 13 August 2021
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

*Qatar Museums Culture Pass members will receive a 10% discount on this lab’s fee. To avail of the discount, simply include a copy of your Culture Pass when applying.

Submission Requirements: Applicants should submit an email to youth@dohafilminstitute.com before 31 July 2021.


Meet the Mentors

Fadi Syriani

is an animator, writer, director and a holder of a master’s degree in architecture. His work has been screened at several Film Festivals. In 2016, Fadi founded the Youth Animation Platform (YAP), offering young talents the opportunity to tell their stories through different animation techniques. YAP has recently received a grant as part of AFAC’s Training and Regional Events Grants Program 2019.


Workshop: Express Yourself Through Digital Art

Start date:
7 August
Ability Level:
Beginner

During this fascinating and rewarding course, participants will embark on a personal narrative journey, exploring their innermost emotions, thoughts and feelings—and learn how to visualise them through digital art. This mindful exercise will help students better understand themselves and how to express their thoughts artistically, through carefully tailored activities and exercises. There are no mistakes in this workshop!

The first half of the workshop will be spent uncovering the participants’ authentic stories and individuality, learning about what they want to say with their work, and choosing a theme. The second half of the workshop will be more technical—using the iPad Pro or other programs (please see requirements) to learn how to draw, illustrate, layer images, scan notes and more.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to unlock your hidden talent and let your inner self shine through digital art! To secure your place now, send your name and details to youth@dohafilminstitute.com

Requirements:
Participants will need to have access to any one of the below three options:

  • An iPad Pro with Apple Pencil and Procreate App (USD 10)
  • An iPad Pro with Apple Pencil and Adobe Photoshop Sketch App (Free)
  • A Laptop with Adobe Photoshop

Age Group:  8 – 12 years old
Level: Beginner
Price: QR 250*
Dates:  7–14 August
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

*Qatar Museums Culture Pass members will receive a 10% discount on this lab’s fee. To avail of the discount, simply include a copy of your Culture Pass when applying.

Submission Requirements: Applicants should submit an email to youth@dohafilminstitute.com before 31 July 2021.


Meet the Mentors

Bayan Dahdah

Bayan Dahdah is a multidisciplinary artist, interested in fusing the realms of digital and physical art in order to tell stories effectively. Using the tactile touch of ‘physical’ art (sketchbooks, memorabilia), and the freedom/accessibility of digital art (graphic design elements/photographs) she aims to retell her memories and document her journeys. Although hailing from an architectural background, she has dabbled in the fields of photography, graphic design and film. Her experience with filmmaking, having written and directed a short film titled ‘Shishbarak’ with the Doha Film Institute, which screened at the Malmo Arab Film Festival and the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, has allowed her to understand the fundamentals of narrative storytelling, as well as how to manifest this visually. She is also the designer and founder of ‘Sarj’—a mobile seat made for sketching, with which she gives travelling observational sketching workshops in groups. She currently works as a freelance graphic designer for various companies and magazines.