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• Open-air cinema venue in Lusail in partnership with Qatar National Tourism Council rolls out enchanting December film programme for audiences of all ages
• Qatar National Day 2020 line-up features three exciting Made in Qatar short-film programmes
• 2021 Screening kick-off on January 21 and are planned for every weekend till first week of April 2021

Doha, Qatar; 13 12 2020: Following an overwhelmingly positive public response, the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) first-ever Drive-In Cinema experience in Lusail, presented in partnership with Qatar National Tourism Council, will extend its public screenings into the month of April 2021.

Featuring an unmissable selection of films from Disney classics to contemporary family favourites, audiences of all ages are invited to the open-air cinema experience under the stars, which brings the community together at safe social distances in line with government guidelines and with the health of all guests as top priority. Visit the DFI website for tickets and the latest Drive-In screenings schedule: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/nowplaying.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “We are delighted that the Drive-In Cinema was met with an incredibly positive public reception following its debut at Ajyal Film Festival last month. It is a truly unique community experience, and we look forward to seeing audiences of all ages come together this winter to share in the magic of cinema in a safe space that inspires and delights on every occasion. I would like to thank our partners at Qatar National Tourism Council for their continued support in helping us preserve community spirit and celebrate culture in this new time.”

Mr. Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar National Tourism Council, said: “We are very pleased with the response to the drive-in cinema in Lusail. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted us all to innovate and adapt our offerings. At QNTC, we work closely with partners such as DFI, traversing the public and private sectors, to develop products that cater not only to visitors but also to residents. We look forward to bringing back our vibrant calendar of events, while continuing to maintain the strictest safety and hygiene standards. This drive-in cinema delivers family friendly entertainment, while showcasing Qatar’s culture through film, all within the smart city of Lusail.”

A three-day programme of family-friendly, enthralling shorts will mark Qatar National Day 2020. On 17 December at 6.30 PM, the Drive-In features: Gub Gub (Qatar/2018) by Nouf Al-Sulati; Hope (Qatar, Indonesia/2020) by Abdulla Mohammed Al-Janahi; Under the Lemon Tree (Qatar, Palestine/2020) by Noor Al-Asswad; Kashta (Qatar/2016) by AJ Al Thani; Unlucky Hamster (Qatar, Indonesia / 2019) by Abdulaziz Khashabi; Maha’mel (Qatar/2018) by Dhabya AlMuhannadi; Dana’s Kite (Qatar/2016) by Noor al Nasr; Treasures of the Past (Qatar/2017) by Nada Bedair and Rawan Al-Nassiri; and Ya Hoota (Qatar/2019) by Abdulaziz Yousif and Latifa Al-Darwish.

Screening on 18 December at 6.30 PM is a special short film programme, rated PG-13, featuring works by local talents and Qatar-based filmmakers including winners of the 2020 Made in Qatar and jury competition from the recently concluded Ajyal Film Festival. The programme includes: Daz (Qatar/2016) by Shouq Shaheen; Fragile (Qatar/2019) by Khuloud Al Ali; Stranger (Qatar, France/2020) by Yasser Mustafa and Christophe Buffet- winner of the Special Jury Award at the 2020 MIQ Competition; Al-Sit (Sudan, Qatar/2020) by Suzannah Mirghani; 2020 MIQ Competition Best Documentary Award winner Ander (Qatar, Kazakhstan/2020) by Alina Mustafina; Under Her Skin (Qatar, Algeria, France/2020) by Meriem Mesraoua winner of the Best Narrative Award 2020 MIQ Competition; Embodiment (Qatar/2017) by Khalifa Al-Marri; Beyond Broken Walls (Qatar/2020) by Hissa G. Al-Mannai; Woman of Steel (Jordan, Qatar/2020) by Obada Yousef Jarbi, Best Short Film -Bader Category ; and End of the Road (Qatar/2019) by Ahmed Al Sharif.

On 19 December, a programme of shorts for the whole family will screen at 6.30 PM, including: Unlucky Hamster (Qatar, Indonesia/2019) by Abdulaziz Khashabi; Samha (Qatar/2018) by Noor Fawzi Al-Asswad; Sh’hab (Qatar/2018) by Amal Al Muftah; Where Are You Right Meow? (Qatar/2018) by Maysam Al-Ani; Al Gawasa (Qatar/2018) by Sheikha Bahzad and Maryam Al-Thani; Al Tabbab (Qatar/2017) by Khalifa Al Mana; Khurshid (Qatar/2017) by Mazen Shafea and Mohamed Elamin; and Emsahar (Qatar/2020) by Hassan Al-Jahni.

Capturing the holiday spirit on the big screen, Lusail’s Drive-In Cinema will present Disney’s live-action adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 holiday classic, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (USA/2018) by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston on 24 December at 6.30 PM. Screening on 25 December at the same time, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (USA/2018) will take us to the town of Whoville, where the Grinch threatens Christmas in this captivating animation film. Rounding off the series on 26 December at 6.30 PM is Chris Columbus’ beloved classic Home Alone (USA/1990) about a young boy who is accidentally left behind when his family travels for the holidays.