Ajyal Film Festival celebrates its 8th edition this year, and we’re looking for the people who always make our festival a success—you.
In light of the current global situation, DFI is presenting an adapted festival edition this November with most activities running online, and the possibility of in-person gatherings through select film screenings for our jurors.
We are proud to build on the immense success of the Ajyal Film Festival and its internationally acclaimed jury programme. This year’s hybrid event underlines our responsiveness to the public health situation and respect to the prevailing safety guidelines set by the government, as we reimagine one of DFI’s annual flagship events in and for this extraordinary time.
The jury programme scheduled from 11 – 23 November, will once again provide curated workshops, daily film screenings, jury discussions, and opportunities to interact with global film talent to inspire creative interaction and stimulate cinematic dialogue.
Registration opens 20 August 2020.
The Ajyal Jury Programme – a journey that never stops
The Ajyal Jury
As a member of the Ajyal Jury, you watch films, discuss with fellow-jurors and film experts, vote for the winners of the Ajyal Film Festival, and use your energy to bring about positive change far beyond Ajyal.
The experience of being an Ajyal Juror is unparalleled: an inspiring and creative hands-on experience that instills not only an appreciation of film, but also the values of teamwork, critical thinking and leadership.
Over 13 days of the Festival, discover global cultures through the powerful medium of film, while making new friends from across the world.
Last year, Ajyal welcomed over 400 jurors of 45 nationalities. You can be one of them this year!
Join the Ajyal Film Festival Jury from 11 – 23 November 2020.
As an Ajyal Juror, you will:
1. Watch short and feature-length films from all over the world.
2. Vote for your favourite films and choose the Ajyal Competition winners.
3. Meet many film directors and actors through our online platform.
4. Attend online workshops on filmmaking techniques and film language.
Juries
There are three Ajyal Competition juries in three age groups. They are:
Mohaq
Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, aged 8 to 12. The young people of this jury will watch a programme of short films and four feature-length films.
Hilal
Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 make up the Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic. Four feature films and a programme of shorts make up the Hilal jury’s festival programme.
Bader
The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 25 and will select their favourite films from five features and two programmes of short films.
How to Register
A registration fee of 50 QAR is required to confirm your interest. Registration is open from 20 August to 31 October 2020. You must be between the ages of 8 and 25 to be an Ajyal Juror.
If you are one of the lucky finalists, the below fees are required to confirm your participation.
Early Bird (if registered before 20 September)
150 QAR
Ajyal Film Festival is an annual celebration of film that is designed to nurture minds across generations and support the development of thoughtful future leaders. ‘Ajyal’ is Arabic for ‘generations’, as it brings people of all ages together through screenings and events that inspire creative interaction and stimulate cinematic dialogue. The festival’s internationally acclaimed jury programme connects young people between the ages of 8 and 25 for an invaluable exchange of culture and learning through film. Ajyal’s programming philosophy urges audiences to view film not just from the perspective of entertainment but as a medium that can bring about positive social change and understand the power that lies in each human being.
As a member of the Ajyal Jury, you watch films, discuss with fellow-jurors and film experts, vote for the winners of the Ajyal Film Festival, and use your energy to bring about positive change far beyond Ajyal.
As an Ajyal Juror, you will:
Watch short and feature-length films from all over the world.
Vote for your favourite films and choose the Ajyal Competition winners.
Meet film directors and actors through our online platform.
Attend online workshops on filmmaking techniques and film language.
This programme is divided into three jury sections:
Mohaq: Ages 8 – 12
Hilal: Ages 13 – 17
Bader: Ages 18 – 25 (this year we have extended the programme’s age range)
The programme will be presented in both English and Arabic, with all films subtitled accordingly. Each jury section has a bespoke programme created especially for them, with relevant themes, activities, and films. Selected jurors will only have access to the elements in their age-specific programme. Upon successful completion of the programme, jurors will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.
If you are between 8 and 25 years old and live in Qatar, you are welcome to register for this programme.
If you do not currently live in Qatar, please contact us at ajyaljury@dohafilminstitute.com and we will give you more information on if, and how you can participate. Please do not directly register yourself.
The first step is to download and fill out the Jury Consent Form. If you are under 21 years old, your consent form must be signed by your parent/legal guardian. Scan or take a photo of this form, as you will need it as part of your registration form.
You will also need to upload a portrait photo of yourself.
Finally, you will need a credit card on hand to pay the 50 QAR registration fee.
If I register, will I automatically be selected as a juror?
No, as places are limited, applicants are selected based on the answers they provide in the registration form. So be sure to take your time and think about your responses carefully.
What fees are involved in registering and participating?
To register, you must pay a non-refundable fee of 50 QAR.
If you are selected to participate, you will need to pay a fee of 250 QAR to confirm your status as a juror and access our incredible programme of exclusive film screenings and workshops.
This year we are offering discounts for:
People who register before a specified date
Multiple siblings participating together
QM Culture Pass members.
These fees are put to judicious use and enable us to bring you world-class film talent, industry experts, educational workshops and critically acclaimed, thought-provoking films.
How do I qualify for the sibling or QM Culture Pass discount?
If you and your sibling(s) are taking part in the Ajyal Jury Programme this year, you qualify for a reduced fee of 200 QAR per participant. Please be sure to spell your family names in the same way so we can easily identify you as siblings.
If you hold a QM Culture Pass card, you also qualify for the reduced fee of 200 QAR. You will be asked to show your QM Culture Pass card if you select this discount option.
How has the Ajyal Jury Programme been adapted for this year?
In light of the current global situation, DFI is presenting an adapted festival edition this November with most activities running online, and the possibility of in-person gatherings at Katara, through select film screenings for our jurors. For all jury sections, the physical and online programmes take place simultaneously. Only select screenings can be attended physically; therefore, there will be no gathering areas / Jurors’ Hub or catering this year.
Will I be able to watch my selected films online at any time?
Like previous years, all the jurors will watch their films at the same time, even if the screening is online. If you miss your scheduled screening slot, you will not be able to access the film at another time.
How much of the programme will I need to physically attend?
If you are applying as a Mohaq or Hilal juror, you may be invited to attend at least one screening in a theatre. If you are applying as a Bader juror, you may be able to watch all your screenings at the theatre. All screenings will take place under strict social distancing rules to ensure the safety of everyone.
Please note, for Mohaq and Hilal jurors, parents will be required to drop their child directly to the theatre doors. Unaccompanied jurors will not be granted access to the building.
The above is subject to change at DFI’s discretion based on government directives at the time.
If I do not feel comfortable attending the screenings in person, can I still participate?
While you may be invited to attend a screening in a theatre, all films will also be available online. So, if you are uncomfortable or have a medical condition that inhibits you from attending in person, you can still take part as a juror through our online platform.
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