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Doha, Qatar; March 09, 2023: Leading cultural, corporate and media entities from Qatar and international have partnered with the Doha Film Institute to deliver a memorable Qumra 2023 – the Institute’s annual industry incubator event – to be held in an innovative hybrid format, with in-person events from March 10 to 15, and online sessions from March 19 to 21.

The organisations have united to underline their commitment to Qumra as a compelling platform for the development and promotion of emerging film talent that also engages the public through its Qumra Screenings and Masterclasses. While several partners are returning supporters across multiple editions, new partners have joined this year’s edition.

Fatma Al-Ghanim, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Doha Film Institute, said: “Qumra is the region’s definitive film industry event, and truly unique in how it unites experts from across the cinematic universe in a common goal – to nurture independent new voices in cinema. We are honoured that leading national and international organisations share our mission and vision for a vibrant film industry, and enthusiastically support our initiatives. Qumra has evolved as a crucial platform that facilitates filmmakers’ script-to-screen journey, and we are so grateful for the commitment of our Partners from Qatar and beyond to support promising emerging talent and continue to shape its success.”

Museums, the Museum of Islamic Art and M7 have come on board as Cultural Partners of Qumra 2023. This year’s hybrid event is Supported By: Alwadi Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection is the event’s Official Hotel Partner; Darwish Holding (FNAC/SONY) is Official Electronics Partner; Qatar Airways is Official Airlines Partner; Aldo Coppola, Blumen Floral Art and Design and MATAR-Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management.

Friends of this latest edition of Qumra are Sarajevo Film Festival, British Council and the French Embassy in Qatar. Qumra 2023 is Promoted by I Love Qatar, Qatar Living and Doha News. Qommunication is the Social Media Partner, while international trade publications Deadline and Screen Daily are Media Partners.

44 films, including feature narratives, documentaries, web series and shorts have been selected for the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra 2023, the Institute’s annual industry incubator event. Qumra 2023 will offer networking and development opportunities for the selected projects from 23 countries as part of Qumra’s mission to accelerate the success of filmmakers from the region and beyond and prepare them to bring their projects to audiences around the world. Qumra 2023 features 13 projects by Qatar-based talent, including seven by Qatari nationals. Highlighting the evolution of series, Qumra 2023 will nurture seven series projects by emerging talent.

Talents associated with the selected projects will participate in mentorship and networking activities. Of 44 projects, 29 are recipients of the Doha Film Institute’s Grants programme, and five are supported through the Qatari Film Fund. 24 projects have participated in DFI Training Programmes (Hezayah Scriptwriting lab, Producers Lab, Shorts Script Lab, Doc Lab with Rithy Panh, Series Lab and First Cut Lab). In all, eight feature projects are in development, five in production and 13 in post-production, 7 in Qumra Series, and 11 are in Qumra Shorts.