ACC to honour DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi during 78th Cannes
The award recognises influential industry leaders whose contributions have raised the profile of Arab cinema on the global stage.
In honor of her contributions to the development of Qatari, Arab and international cinema, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) will present its sixth Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award to Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute (DFI), at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13 to 24.
The ACC established the award to spotlight key figures in the industry who have played an instrumental role in elevating Arab cinema on the global stage. Since taking the helm of the DFI in 2014, Alremaihi has been at the forefront of its mission to develop a vibrant film culture in Qatar and the wider region. Her leadership has seen the creation of cornerstone initiatives such as the Ajyal Film Festival and Qumra, both designed to support and mentor emerging filmmakers.
Alremaihi, a Doha native and English Literature graduate from Qatar University, joined the DFI at its founding in 2009. She has since been deeply involved in developing talent and fostering global industry partnerships. Her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in cinema has earned her a place on Variety International's list of the 500 most influential business leaders in global entertainment.
In a joint statement, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, Co-founders of Arab Cinema Centre, said: 'We take immense pride in honouring Fatma Hassan Alremaihi with the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award. Since assuming her position, she has made noteworthy efforts to advance the Qatari, Arab, and global film industries.'
DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi added: 'I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which reflects the spirit of a young nation committed to building a dynamic film industry that captures the world's imagination. At the DFI, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform. This award not only strengthens our commitment to nurturing diverse voices and cultivating a rich cultural legacy but also reaffirms Qatar's unwavering dedication to championing global storytelling — narratives that transcend borders and unite communities around the world.'
Beyond her role at the DFI, Alremaihi is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Qatar Museum's Lusail Museum and has served on juries at major international film festivals including Sarajevo, Antalya, Nara and Mumbai. In recognition of her cultural contributions, she was also awarded the Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
The DFI, an independent nonprofit cultural organisation, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the region's creative industries, supporting over 900 film projects from more than 75 countries through grants and co-financing. Notable films backed by the institute include It Must Be Heaven, Capernaum, Theeb, Memoria, and The Salesman — all of which have garnered international acclaim.
In previous years, the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year award has been given to prominent figures such as Mohannad Al-Bakri, Mouhamad Keblawi, Chiraz Latiri, Mohamed Hefzy and the duo Abdulhamid Juma and Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Onshur marks major milestone with graduation of Scale Track cohort
Sharjah, Under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its 2025 Scale Track at SBA's headquarters. The programme is designed to support established publishers in the UAE in scaling their operations through sustainable and strategic growth. The ceremony honoured twelve publishers who completed the intensive training course. The event was attended by His Excellency H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, as well as programme partners, experts, trainers, and representatives from local and Arab media. The twelve graduating publishers were selected from a pool of 62 applicants who met rigorous eligibility criteria. These included a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality cultural content and a well-defined strategic vision for expansion aligned with global publishing developments. The graduating cohort comprised Ajyal Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, Kalman Publishing and Distribution, Nabatti Publishing, Shaheen Printing Publishing and Distribution, Dar Al-Farqad, Dar Shams Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, and Noor Publishing. Driving tangible progress for Emirati and Arab publishers Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, emphasised the importance of empowering UAE publishers to grow and innovate within a sustainable framework. She stated: 'The Scale Track reflects our vision of enabling publishers to move beyond survival, towards a future defined by excellence, creativity, and leadership in enriching the Arab publishing landscape both locally and globally.' She continued: 'I am proud of this cohort, who have shown a remarkable capacity for learning, growth, and openness to new experiences. I believe they are now equipped with the tools and insights needed to build more resilient and adaptable business models. While they represent the current state of Arab publishing, they are equally poised to shape its global future, fuelled by ambition, determination, and a genuine passion for the written word.' Revitalising the future of Arab literature H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'What distinguishes these publishers is their clear ambition to grow and their willingness to embrace new tools and ideas that can propel their businesses forward. Their participation in the Scale Track represents a strategic blueprint for the regional publishing sector's expansion, firmly rooted in innovation and sustainability. This vision is inspired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's commitment to cultivating a network of publishers equipped to compete on both regional and global stages, driving a renewed momentum for Arab literature and culture.' Turning vision into actionable success For his part, H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, congratulated the graduates and commended their commitment to transforming ambition into tangible results. He said: 'We extend our congratulations to this exceptional cohort, who have exemplified what it means to turn vision into reality. The Scale Track has provided participants with critical skills enabling them to thrive in both local and international markets amid a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.' Laying the foundations for strategic publishing growth The ceremony opened with a keynote speech by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA. She highlighted that Onshur is reshaping how support is delivered to publishers by offering a comprehensive strategic framework that fosters long-term, sustainable growth. 'The Scale Track has surpassed the boundaries of traditional training,' she said. 'It has established a professional platform dedicated to enhancing publishers' operational capabilities and deepening their industry expertise.' Unlocking sustained expansion through targeted support Following the directives of Sheikha Bodour, graduates of the Scale Track benefit from a robust package of post-programme support. This includes one year of professional accounting services to ensure compliance, guidance in applying for the Sharjah International Translation Grant, onboarding to Ingram's global distribution network, access to business loans secured against publishing contracts, specialised advisory sessions, and priority access to upcoming Onshur initiatives. These measures are designed to help publishers shift from operational stability to strategic and sustainable expansion.
Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
DFI announces programming and awards for 2025 Doha Film Festival
Doha Film Festival to have four competition strands with total of over USD 300,000 in prize money to reward artistic excellence. Doha Film Institute (DFI) has unveiled the programming and awards lineup for the upcoming Doha Film Festival (DFF), reaffirming its dedication to championing bold, original storytelling and amplifying underrepresented voices and diverse perspectives in global cinema. The announcement was made during the 78th Cannes Film Festival, marking the 15th anniversary of DFI, which was first launched in Cannes in 2010 by DFI Chair H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa. Set to take place from November 20 to 28, 2025, the festival will offer over $300,000 in prize money and feature a vibrant official selection across four competition categories: the International Feature Film Competition, showcasing compelling new works by emerging and established filmmakers; the International Short Film Competition, which highlights innovative storytelling in short form; the Ajyal Film Competition, judged by a youth jury offering generational insight; and the Made in Qatar Competition, celebrating the creativity and talent of filmmakers based in Qatar. The festival promises a multifaceted experience, with industry sessions, community screenings, youth-focused programming, and a variety of events that will transform Doha into a global hub for filmmakers, artists, and audiences united by a passion for thought-provoking cinema. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute and Festival Director, said: 'Doha Film Festival is not only a celebration of cinema, but a platform for purpose-driven storytelling amplifying important voices that are redefining the global film landscape with depth, nuance, and truth.' She added: 'It is the next chapter in our continued mission to nurture independent filmmakers, inspire new perspectives and foster cultural dialogue through cinema. The festival will offer a vibrant meeting point for film lovers, a stage for powerful stories and a launchpad for a new generation of cinematic talent. DFF is an expansion of the strong foundation we built with Ajyal Film Festival as a unique platform for self-expression and creative empowerment, and we look forward to guests celebrating the unifying power of film with us in Doha this November.' Each competition will feature awards that not only recognise excellence in filmmaking but also provide significant financial support and international exposure. The International Feature Film Competition will be adjudicated by a five-member jury and include awards such as Best Narrative ($75,000), Best Documentary ($50,000), Best Artistic Achievement ($45,000), and Best Performance ($15,000), along with a Special Mention certificate. The International Short Film Competition, overseen by a three-member jury, will award Best Film – Narrative or Documentary ($20,000), Best Director ($12,000), and Best Performance ($7,000). Meanwhile, the Made in Qatar Competition will honor local talent with awards for Best Short – Narrative or Documentary ($15,000), Best Director ($10,000), and Best Performance ($5,000), further reflecting DFI's strong commitment to supporting homegrown storytellers. The Ajyal Film Competition, continuing its tradition within DFF, will feature a youth jury aged 16 to 25, who will present awards for Best Feature – Narrative or Documentary ($35,000) and Best Short – Narrative or Documentary ($12,000). An Audience Award, accompanied by a certificate and trophy, will also be presented during the festival. DFF will activate iconic locations throughout Doha, with Katara Cultural Village set to host red carpet events and premieres, Msheireb Downtown Doha serving as the central hub for industry activities, and the Museum of Islamic Art providing an intimate venue for short film screenings. The full festival programme, including jury members and competition film titles, will be revealed in the coming months.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Creative Media Authority (CMA) partners with UAE production house FilmGate to grow creative industries and promote production sector in Abu Dhabi
4 June 2025 12:11 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority (CMA) has announced a new partnership with one of the UAE's leading independent, Emirati-owned and operated production houses, FilmGate, to secure a suite of benefits for the wider production industry in Abu will produce a minimum of 15 productions in Abu Dhabi over the next five years. The productions will employ 50 percent of production talent from within the CMA's partnership will also provide extensive learning and development benefits for the ecosystem, including annual workshops hosted by FilmGate for the industry on a specialist production topic and four six-month paid internships per annum for young Emirati talent with a view to providing permanent employment opportunities to grow and nurture talent from within the Director General of Creative Media Authority, Mohamed Dobay, said, 'Establishing partnerships with local and regional production leaders is a key element of our industry development strategy to make Abu Dhabi a global content hub. Alongside attracting the major Hollywood and Bollywood productions, it is critical that we support and increase the Arab content produced in Abu Dhabi to ensure we are building an ecosystem where Emirati and wider Arab narratives can thrive.''The partnerships we are curating are designed to deliver unrivalled opportunities throughout the ecosystem, from employment for our 1000-plus registered freelancers to intern opportunities for our young creatives; these partnerships support on all levels.'Founded by leading Emirati filmmaker, Mansoor Al yahbouni al Dhaheri, FilmGate will also benefit from the recent update on the rebate offered by Abu Dhabi Film Commission where qualifying productions now can apply for cashback on production and postproduction spend starting at 35 percent up to 50 per cent based on meeting a clear set of Executive Officer and Founder of FilmGate, Mansoor Al yahbouni al Dhaheri, added, 'It is a significant year for Abu Dhabi with the new rebate for production starting January 1 and a partnership of this nature with Creative Media Authority will allow us to maximise all that Abu Dhabi offers in terms of filming locations, creative infrastructure, talent and financial support to produce more content than ever before.'As a visionary producer, director, writer, and, most notably, philanthropist, Mr. Mansoor Al Dhaheri, has created content, which has been screened at festivals across the world, including at Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival and the Gulf Film Festival. Some of his award-winning and nominated projects include Al Biet Metwahid (Unified Home) (2013), ( (2012), Little Sparta (2016), Swim 62 (2023).Other more recent work includes the documentary ABU DHABI success story (2024), TV series Dreams Drawn by Dust (2022), House of Life (2022), Scattered Barriers (2021), three seasons of The Platform and feature film The Misfits (2021).As CEO of FilmGate, he leads a team of directors, scriptwriters, cameramen, video editors, animators, audio auditors, and producers to create engaging and inspiring content from Abu Dhabi. The FilmGate partnership is one of several partnerships CMA is establishing in order to provide further stimulus across the creative industries of Abu Dhabi, of which the production industry is key.
