Stop-Motion Animation with Ibrahim Albuainain
In this inspiring of The Ajyal Show, Qatari stop-motion filmmaker Ibrahim Albuainain shares his unique journey into the world of animation. Beginning as a personal passion in childhood, Ibrahim’s love for the art form grew during his aviation studies in the USA, where he explored stop-motion techniques in his free time. Through trial and error, he learned the intricate process of character creation, mastering techniques using clay and foam latex while overcoming the time-consuming challenges that stop-motion demands.
Ibrahim discusses his approach to storytelling, which revolves around asking personal questions and often leaving his films with open-ended conclusions. During the episode, he explains the essentials of character movement, rigging, and materials used in stop-motion, which requires meticulous dedication to detail. Faced with the tremendous production demands of building 16 characters for a film, he describes his approach of tackling tasks one step at a time and the importance of mindset in managing complex projects.
His latest film, 'Civilization of Equality', funded by the Doha Film Institute, is a musical project where animals sing about unity, featuring a symphonic score composed from animal sounds. Ibrahim emphasises the power of animation to explore complex themes, highlighting how this medium enables artists to discuss complex topics and create immersive, visually engaging worlds. For Ibrahim, the animator is akin to an actor, bringing characters to life through movements and expressions.
Reflecting on Qatar’s emerging animation industry, Ibrahim advocates for more full-time professionals to join the field and encourages aspiring animators to start their projects now, reminding them that the learning process unfolds along the way. He also highlights the importance of participating in workshops and taking advantage of funding opportunities.
To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s filmmaking community, visit our website here.
More About Our Guest Ibrahim Albuainain
Ibrahim Albuainain is a Qatari writer and stop-motion filmmaker with a passion for animation that began in his youth. His first film, ‘Last Drop of Oil’ (2012), participated in international festivals, including the International Family Film Festival in California and the Douban Film Festival in Seoul, and won the Best Animation Award at the Accolade Global Film Competition in 2014. Ibrahim was awarded a Doha Film Institute grant for ‘Smile, You Deserve It’, and his recent stop-motion musical, ‘Civilization of Equality’, has toured festivals worldwide, including events in Qatar, Chile, France, and India. Ibrahim’s work is known for conveying powerful messages through the art of stop-motion storytelling.