The fifth edition of Qumra, Doha Film Institute's (DFI) one-of-a-kind initiative that seeks to provide mentorship, nurturing, and hands-on development for the next generation of filmmakers from Qatar and around the world, opened Friday. Filmmakers and industry professionals from over 32 countries are taking part in the six-day event that will support the development of 36 projects in various stages of development by first- and second-time filmmakers.

Speaking to delegates and the filmmakers behind the Qumra Projects at a meet-and-greet event at the Museum of Islamic Art, Chief Executive Officer of DFI Fatma Hassan Alremaihi highlighted the importance of initiatives like Qumra in helping to bring bold new voices to cinema, especially in the Arab world.

Throughout the six-day initiative, the Qumra Masters share their experience with the filmmakers behind the 36 projects supported by DFI, providing invaluable feedback by drawing on their own inspiring journeys through the cinematic world in Qumra Masterclasses.

2019 Qumra Masters include Academy Award-winning Mexican production designer Eugenio Caballero, winner of the Grand Jury prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Italian writer and director Alice Rohrwacher; prolific Japanese director and writer Kiyoshi Kurosawa; Polish auteur Pawel Pawlikowski; and a special masterclass honouring the French new wave Master Agnes Varda.

The second day of Qumra 2019 will host the first Qumra Talk with Franklin Leonard, the renowned film development executive and founder and CEO of The Black List - an innovative network that has connected more than 400 scripts with buyers and distributors. The second Qumra Masters screening - Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. 2019 Qumra Master Eugenio Caballero won the Academy Award in Production Design for the film. (QNA)

Cover image credit: Zawya

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Nabeela

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