If you missed some of the amazing films that screened at DTFF 2012, Katara Cultural Village and Doha Film Institute (DFI) are offering viewers two screenings of ‘The Lebanese Rocket Society’ by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, and ‘The Repentant’ by Merzak Allouache. Both films are part of the ‘Arab Voices’ section and were recognized at this year’s Arab Film Competition during DTFF. The Katara DFI Cinema screenings will be held each day from 21-22 December at the Katara Drama Theatre in building 16.

Set in the 1960’s, ‘The Lebanese Rocket Society’ is a documentary about the launch of the Middle East’s first rocket in Lebanon and how the nation celebrated its involvement in the international space race. In bringing this forgotten episode to light, this film revives Arab dreams buried since the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1967 – a reflection of the reawakening of hopes in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Algerian director, Merzak Allouache and two time DTFF Arab Competition winner, returns with ‘The Repentant’, a narrative that tells the touching story of Rashid, a young jihadist who leaves his mountain hideout to return home in an attempt to resume a normal life. Allouache delves into his nation’s ‘black decade’, taking a close look at the lingering effects of extremism and civil war.

Join DFI and Katara in celebrating contemporary Arab filmmaking that will mark the end of our 2012 year-round screening cycle. The New Year will bring a multitude of new screenings, starting with award winning American film ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’, directed by Benh Zeitlin. The film follows a six-year-old girl in an isolated bayou community on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by the extraordinary imagination of childhood, she believes the universe is in balance, but when a fierce storm comes, she must learn to survive. The film will screen from 24-30 January and tickets will be on sale from noon on 21 December. For more information about the screenings, click here.