A still from film Burning Birds.
Ten films supported by the Doha Film Institute(DFI) have been chosen for the 45th International Film Festival Rotterdam which runs from January 25 to February 5, marking the largest contingent of films supported by Qatar to be screened at the renowned festival.
Two feature narratives have been selected for in-competition programmes including the prestigious Harvest in Hivos Tiger and Bright Future Award, while a short experimental film screens in the Picture Palestine segment.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “This is truly historic as 10 films supported by the institute are marking their presence at the prestigious Rotterdam festival. The selection underlines our commitment to supporting high quality projects both from the Arab world and globally.
“Over the past few years, we have seen a remarkable increase in the number of films supported by the Institute making headlines at international festivals. We will continue to encourage emerging talents who make impressive contributions to film, thereby enhancing the pride of the Institute and Qatar.”
Chosen for the Harvest in Hivos Tiger Competition is Rey, directed by Niles Atallah. The film is based on a true story about a 35-year-old Frenchman, who explores Araucania, an autonomous region of southern Chile in 1860, and is elected as king by the people.
Vying for the Bright Future Award is Cactus Flower, directed by Hala Elkoussy. The film is about Aida, a struggling actress who comes to Cairo from the Delta as a university student, and her extraordinary friendships. Rey and Cactus Flower mark their World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Within Bright Future, four films supported by the Institute are screening out-of-competition. These include Burning Birds by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara, By the Time It Gets Dark by Anocha Suwichakornpong, The Last of Us by Ala Eddine Slim, and Mimosas by Oliver Laxe. Chosen for the main programme of the Voices segment is The Idea of a Lake by Milagros Mumenthaler.
Two films will be screened in Voices (Limelight) segment: Tramontane by Vatche Boulghourjian, and White Sun, directed by Deepak Rauniyar. Screening in the Picture Palestine segment is short experimental film In the Future They Ate from the Finest Porcelain directed by Larissa Sansour.
