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Doha, Qatar; November 5, 2013: The spectacular world of ‘Anime’ will take centre stage at the inaugural Ajyal Youth Film Festival, with a grand exhibition entitled ‘Otaku’.

Held from November 27 to 30 at The Cultural Village Katara ‘Otaku,’ which refers to people with an increased passion for the theme of Anime and manga works, pays a sterling tribute to the numerous streams of the innate Japanese form of art.

Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director, said: “Doha’s creative community has seen an increased interest in the art of Anime. From the selection of illustrated novels to filmmakers’ diversification into creating animated films, the city is now home to a vibrant fan-base of Anime loyalists. The ‘Otaku Exhibition’, which will act as a social hub, is a great showcase of this popular culture as seen through the creativity of local and regional artists lending their support to this burgeoning art form.”

The ‘Otaku Exhibition’ will feature a number of galleries showcasing the works of various artists and social clubs. Epitomising the world of Anime, the organiser and key curator of the exhibition, Abdulla Al-Mosallam, will be among talented local artists, Fatima Alnesf, Kholoud Al-Ali, and Abdulaziz Yousif, who will work alongside an array of cultural institutions and organisations including AnimeQtr and Qatar Japan Youth Association.

A highlight of the exhibition will be the ‘Otaku Cosplay Event’ (costume play) on November 29, 2013. Open to residents and visitors, the event will award participants across numerous categories including costumes for Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, and Open Category (open to all other costumes styles).

Anime-enthusiasts and festival-goers will also be able to revel in an array of activities including trading collectible cards, games and access to a world of anime merchandise. The event will also include a live DJ booth playing popular Japanese, Arabic, and English Anime themed music from the 80s to our present day; a Super Villain Hunt; Munny Painting and Make-your-own-Manga.

Ajyal Youth Film Festival will also offer visitors the opportunity to participate in an array of workshops including The Making of a Comic Book; Qatari Japanese Traditional Games; Cosplay Costume Making; Cosplay Hair & Makeup; Origami making; Introduction to Shogi; Anime History ; Qartoon workshop; and Anime Stop Motion workshop.

Social media will play an integral role at the ‘Otaku Exhibition,’ where visitors can view a live feed of Tweets on screens across the exhibition.

The Ajyal Youth Film Festival builds on the Doha Film Institute’s history of community-based programming. Ajyal invites generations to come together to discuss cinema through events that inspire creative interaction, opening up a fun, collaborative environment where young people can express themselves.

For more details on Ajyal Youth Film Festival, please visit www.dohafilminstitute.com