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Doha, Qatar; November 30, 2016: On Thursday (December 1, 2016), the fourth Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, presents its first showcase of ‘Made in Qatar’ films by Qatari directors and people who call Qatar home.

There is a section of internationally acclaimed films as Ajyal marks the commencement of its first Midnight Screenings and SONY Cinema Under the Stars. Ajyal Family Weekend also kicks off today (Thursday), which is open for all, as well as the first Ajyal Talks, insightful discussions with social media influencers that provide an inspiring interaction with people who have a positive influence on youth.

A strong demonstration of the home-grown film capabilities, the Made in Qatar 1 will screen at 7 PM at Katara Drama Theatre, and includes a selection of eight short films including those made with the support of Doha Film Institute’s Qatari Film Fund.

On showcase are: 9956 by Zaki Hussain, a wonderful satire that is as heartfelt as it is hilarious about Hassan, who is told he would never walk again but discovers he could crawl, and never looks back. Recipient of the Qatari Film Fund grant, Amer: An Arabian Legend by Jassim Al-Rumaihi, follows the story of Amer, a legendary purebred Arabian racehorse.

Between Science and Religion by Hamida Issa is a poignant short that reminds us to be mindful of the present in our all-too short time on Earth, while Dana’s Kite by Noor Al-Nasr, is about Dana, who plays on the beach and tries to get her brother’s attention, but he’s too busy messaging his friends to watch out for her.

Fragile (Qatar, France) by Khalifa AlMarri, is about an ex-couple is having a lot of trouble letting go, while Al-Johara, also a Qatari Film Fund grant recipient, directed by Nora Al-Subai reimagines a familiar fairy tale in a very contemporary fashion. Kashta by AJ Al Thani is about a father teaching his sons how to hunt out in the quiet desert, when a careless struggle between the two brothers leads to disaster. Also watch Shishbarak by Bayan Dahdah, a gentle film that captures the wonderful effects of spending time with loved ones, even if they aren’t actually there.

Do not miss Enclave (Serbia, Germany), Serbia’s entry for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last year, directed by Goran Radovanović, about young Nenad, who lives in Kosovo and is the only student in a school, where he is taken every day in an armoured vehicle. It will screen at 8.30 PM at Katara 12 – Theatre A.

Following its world premiere at Cannes comes Fatima (France) by Philippe Faucon, screening at 9.15 PM at Katara 12 – Theatre B. It is about an Algerian immigrant to France who spends all her energy working as a cleaner to care for her two daughters.

The Midnight Screenings at Ajyal will debut with Under the Shadow (Iran, UK, Jordan, Qatar) UK’s selection for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this year, directed by Babak Anvari. Against the distressing backdrop of the War of the Cities that came soon after the Iranian Revolution, the line between the terrors of wartime and the threat of supernatural possession is blurred in this exceedingly unnerving film. The screening is at 11 PM at Katara Drama Theatre.

Also watch the winner of Berlinale’s Golden Bear this year, Fire at Sea (Italy, France) directed by Gianfranco Rosi at Katara Opera House at 9.30 PM. The documentary is set in the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, which has been the first stop on the migrant route from Africa to Europe for about 400,000 people.

Tickets for all the above are priced QR25 for general screening, and are available for purchase 24 hours a day at ajyalfilm.com or from the Ajyal Katara Main Box Office in Katara Building 12 or Ajyal FNAC Ticket Outlet, FNAC Qatar (at Lagoona Mall).

Open for free to the public is the first screening of SONY Cinema Under the Stars with CodeGirl (USA), directed by Lesley Chilcott. Screening at 8 PM at Katara Esplanade, it follows several all-girl teams as they attempt to address issues from feeling isolated at school to wasting water, from garbage in the streets to violence in the home.

Also open to the public is the first Ajyal Talks on When 1 Thousand > 1 Million by Omar Hussein, a Saudi public figure who specialises in digital media, at 7.30 PM at Katara Opera House. Families can revel at the Ajyal Family Weekend that opens at 6 PM with an array of fun activities for all.

Katara is the Cultural Partner and Oxy Qatar is the Principal Partner for the 2016 edition. Qatar Tourism Authority is the Signature Partner of the festival this year.