Latest news with #FatmaHassanAlremaihi
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arab Cinema Makes a Splash on the Croisette
Arab cinema and its representatives are out in full force — and in the spotlight — on the Croisette this year, where the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday. Case in point: Qatar's film industry is gearing up for what insiders say will be its biggest-ever presence on the Croisette. The timing seems fitting given that the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) will, during the fest, bestow its sixth Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award onto Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of Qatar's Doha Film Institute, for her 'noteworthy efforts to advance the Qatari, Arab, and global film industries.' More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Two Prosecutors' Review: Sergei Loznitsa Explores the Stifling Climate of Stalin-Era Russia in a Legal Drama That Burns Slowly but Brightly Nude and "Voluminous" Cannes Red Carpet Looks From Past Years That Would Violate New Dress Code 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Review: Tom Cruise Delivers but the Convoluted Eighth Entry Takes Its Sweet Time Getting There Egypt also has reason to celebrate. It returns to the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard lineup for the first time in nine years, with its 'central role in regional production and distribution' as 'the Arab world's largest filmmaking hub' getting the spotlight in a panel organized by the Marché du Film and ACC entitled 'Egypt: Arab World's Blockbuster Nation.' Meanwhile, Charlie Polinger's debut feature The Plague, starring Joel Edgerton (Boy Erased, Black Mass), will world premiere in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section, giving Image Nation Abu Dhabi its first movie in one of the two big Cannes fest sections. Made under its co-production partnership with Spooky Pictures, along with producers Hellcat, The Space Program, and Edgerton's Five Henrys, the psychological horror movie tells the story of a 12-year-old navigating the savage social order at an all-boys water polo summer camp. For Image Nation Abu Dhabi, it will mark a special moment, CEO Ben Ross tells THR. 'We are all super happy that we get to go to Cannes with a movie,' he says. 'I'm sure it will be a different experience.' Palestinian cinema is also set to draw attention on the Croisette. It will be in focus in a Cannes market session, while revenge thriller Once Upon a Time in Gaza, directed by twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, will unspool in the Un Certain Regard program. In addition, Iranian director Sepideh Farsi's documentary Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, which features Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona and her work documenting daily life in Gaza, will screen in the lineup of ACID (Association for the Distribution of Independent Cinema), a parallel event held during the Cannes fest. When the 25-year-old and several members of her family were recently killed in an Israeli air strike, the Cannes fest expressed 'its dread and profound sadness at this tragedy,' adding that the movie's screening 'will be, in addition to the message of the film itself, a way to honor the memory of Fatma Hassona.' The Israel-Gaza war took center stage during the Cannes opening press conference on Tuesday when jury president Juliette Binoche was asked about a letter, published on Monday evening and signed by such film industry folks as Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Javier Bardem, that said: 'In Cannes, the horror Gaza must not be silenced,' read the letter. Binoche said she did not sign the letter but would not detail the reasons, simply saying: 'You will maybe understand it a little later.' Egypt will also be making its presence felt in Cannes in more ways than one. In Un Certain Regard, Egyptian director Morad Mostafa's Aisha Can't Fly Away, a co-production with France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Sudan, tells the story of a Muslim migrant from Sudan who works as a caregiver in Cairo. She lives in an area full of 'tension between the different African and Egyptian groups over the control of the neighborhood,' according to a synopsis. Egypt's return to the section after nearly a decade was in a press announcement for the movie, described as 'a triumphant breakthrough for Egyptian cinema.' The country also plays a role in this year's competition lineup as Swedish director Tarik Saleh, the son of a Swedish mother and an Egyptian father, will bring his much-anticipated Eagles of the Republic, about a fictional Egyptian actor who falls into disgrace with the authorities, to the Croisette. Jordan is also in the spotlight as the Royal Film Commission – Jordan just launched an 'enhanced financial incentives program' for film and TV productions in Cannes early on Wednesday. The new cash rebate of 25-45 percent for qualifying film and TV projects replaces the 25 percent cap that has been in place so far. 'Projects with production expenditures exceeding $10 million and integrating Jordanian cultural elements can qualify for the maximum rebate of 45 percent,' the commission said. 'For local productions, the rebate has been raised from 10 percent to 30 percent for projects with spending over $500,000 – part of a broader effort to empower Jordanian producers and stimulate the domestic production industry.' Existing additional financial savings on the likes of sales tax and customs duty also remain in place. 'The amendments aim to enhance Jordan's competitiveness as a major film production hub in the region by creating a supportive environment that fosters creativity, provides robust infrastructure, and facilitates the exchange of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer,' said Mohannad Al-Bakri, managing director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan. 'They also aim to boost film tourism by promoting filming locations and highlighting Jordanian cultural identity and heritage in global productions.' Previous films that have been shot in Jordan include Dune Parts 1 & 2, The Martian, John Wick, and Aladdin. 'For the past 60 years, since Lawrence of Arabia, Jordan has been welcoming international and regional films and TV productions,' the country's film commission highlighted. Another part of the Arab world playing Cannes this year is the Maghreb. French-Tunisian director Erige Sehiri opens the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday with Promised Sky, a drama about an unorthodox family made up of several women in Tunis. Plus, French director Hafsia Herzi, the daughter of Algerian and Tunisian parents, is bringing her coming-of-age drama The Little Sister, about a young woman navigating life between two cultures, to Cannes where it will compete for the Palme d'Or. Finally, this year marks 'the first time Qatar will really be showing up to Cannes in force,' according to one industry insider. Indeed, Hassan Al Thawadi, who oversaw the delivery of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the emirate and is now also focusing on the growth of the movie industry, will lead a group of executives from Media City Qatar and a new film committee to Cannes. The Qatari delegation is understood to be made up of representatives of the Film Committee at Media City Qatar and Doha-based studio Katara Studios (Orca, series The Pact). The influence of Qatar's Doha Film Institute and its financing support will also be visible in the Directors' Fortnight, the independent section held in parallel to the Cannes festival. After all, it will include the world premiere of The President's Cake, written and directed by Iraq's Hasan Hadi in his directorial debut. One key player in the story will be recognized well beyond the Arab world. After all, the movie tells the story of a young girl who gets tasked with baking a birthday cake for none other than Saddam Hussein. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues looking to make waves. Shivani Pandya-Malhotra, managing director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, which organizes the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and just announced a new CEO, and its chair Jomana Al-Rashid are among the country's representatives in Cannes. And Film AlUla, the film agency tasked with promoting and supporting film and TV productions while protecting the AlUla region, is back at Cannes for its fifth year in a row. Its films have included the likes of Norah, Cherry, Kandahar, K-Pops, and Siwar. 'The Cannes Film Festival is a pivotal stop on our events calendar and one of our most productive markets of the year,' Zaid Shaker, acting executive director, tells THR. 'Our team is based at the Saudi Pavilion, where attendees are invited to experience the breathtaking landscapes of AlUla through our immersive VR offering. As Saudi Arabia plays an increasingly prominent role in the global film ecosystem, Film AlUla is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation – championing regional storytelling, attracting international productions, and supporting filmmakers at every stage of development.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
Qatar Tribune
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
DFI unveils programme for Doha Film Festival
Tribune News Network Cannes (France)/Doha (Qatar) Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the programming and awards sections for the upcoming Doha Film Festival (DFF), reaffirming its commitment to fostering bold, original storytelling and spotlighting underrepresented cinematic voices and diverse perspectives from around the world. The announcement was made during the 78th Cannes Film Festival which marks the 15th anniversary of Doha Film Institute, first announced in Cannes in 2010 by DFI Chair HE Sheikha Al Mayassa. With a total prize money of over $300,000, DFF will feature a dynamic official selection of films in four competition strands: International Feature Film Competition, showcasing powerful new works by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world; International Short Film Competition, highlighting innovative storytelling in a concise format; Ajyal Film Competition, judged by the festival's unique youth jury that offer fresh, generational perspectives; and the Made in Qatar Competition, dedicated to celebrating the creativity and talent of filmmakers based in Qatar. Running from November 20-28, 2025, the festival will also feature industry sessions, community screenings with a special programme for youth, and a range of engaging events, transforming Doha into a vital global meeting point for filmmakers, thought leaders, artists and audiences passionate about 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.' '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.' she added. DFF will retain popular elements of Ajyal while introducing new dimensions and represents the next step in Qatar's journey of cultural leadership, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and dialogue to benefit the global film community. Selected films will span a wide range of genres and themes, unified by a shared commitment to authenticity, artistic vision, and cultural relevance. Each competition will present awards that recognize excellence in filmmaking and provide meaningful support through funding and international exposure. At the heart of the festival are four main competition sections, each with distinguished international juries: the International Feature Film Competition jury will consist of five industry experts selecting winners in Best Narrative (with a prize money of US$75,000), Best Documentary (US$50,000), Best Artistic Achievement for feature narrative or documentary (US$45,000), and Best Performance (US$15,000) categories. A certificate of Special Mention will also be presented to a feature narrative or documentary. In the International Short Film Competition, judged by a three-member jury, films will compete for Best Film – Narrative or Documentary (US$20,000), Best Director (US$12,000), and Best Performance (US$7,000). Made in Qatar Competition will celebrate talent based in Qatar with awards for Best Short – Narrative or Documentary (US$15,000), Best Director (US$10,000) and Best Performance (US$5,000) reinforcing DFI's commitment to celebrating homegrown storytellers. Continuing the proud legacy and tradition of Ajyal, Ajyal Film Competition with a youth jury aged 16-25 will have an important presence at Doha Film Festival presenting awards for Best Feature – Narrative or Documentary (US$35,000) and Best Short – Narrative or Documentary (US$12,000). An Audience Award will also be presented during the festival with the winner receiving a certificate and trophy. Doha Film Festival will transform iconic locations across Doha into dedicated festival venues. Katara Cultural Village will host red carpet events and premieres, while Msheireb Downtown Doha will become the central hub for industry sessions and special events. The Museum of Islamic Art will present an intimate setting for short film screenings. The complete festival programme, jury members and competition titles will be announced in the coming months. For more information about Doha Film Festival, visit and
Egypt Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
The Arab Cinema Magazine tracks the journey of Arab films in Cannes Film Festival
Arab Cinema Center. The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) returns once again to the Cannes Film Festival with an exclusive edition of its Arab Cinema Magazine, covering key topics shaping the Arab film industry and relevant to filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts across the region. This 25th edition highlights Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) and recipient of the sixth Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award. Through an in-depth interview, she discusses her career, the institute's role in supporting Arab cinema, and the impact it has had on the industry, including its notable successes at international festivals. The issue also features the ninth Critics Awards for Arab Films, recognizing standout films from 2024, as voted by a jury expanded to include 281 critics from 75 countries. Additionally, it pays tribute to Iraqi film critic Erfan Rashid and Cypriot journalist Ninos Mikelides, both honored with the ACC's Lifetime Achievement Award in film criticism, and each contributing an article exploring this year's award theme: Exile. The magazine's 25th edition also tracks Arab films' journeys through global festivals from the start of the year through Cannes, as well as introduces new partners joining the Arab Cinema Center — like A. A. Films, Station Films, Yellow Camel, Abbout Productions, Bonanza Films, and the Palestine Film Institute — showcasing their auspicious profiles. Additionally, the issue returns with its annual Golden 101 power list of the Arab film industry's leading movers and makers, featuring a fresh selection of directors, actors, and behind-the-scenes professionals, including writers, cinematographers, editors, and costume designers — all chosen based on their achievements in the past year. The magazine also includes regular features, such as reports on the successes of the Arab Cinema Center's partners over the previous year and updates on their latest projects.
Qatar Tribune
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Eight films supported by DFI selected for 78th Cannes Fest
Tribune News Network Doha Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that eight films supported through its grants programme have been selected for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, reaffirming the Institute's enduring commitment to nurturing bold, original voices in world cinema. Spanning a wide spectrum of genres, styles and cultural narratives, this year's selected films reflect the richness of global storytelling and underscore DFI's mission to champion compelling, underrepresented perspectives from the Arab world and beyond. The selected projects will be unveiled to global audiences across various sections of the festival, including the official programme with one in Official Selection Competition and three in Un Certain Regard. Four additional titles will screen across the parallel sections of Critics' Week (La Semaine de la Critique), Director's Fortnight (La Quinzaine des Cinéastes), and ACID, highlighting the artistic excellence and global relevance of the filmmakers. DFI's strong presence at Cannes 2025 builds on its legacy of empowering emerging talent and contributing meaningfully to the global film landscape. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, chief executive officer of DFI, said: 'We are incredibly proud to attend the 78th edition of Cannes with another selection of outstanding films supported by the Institute. This recognition speaks to the power of authentic storytelling and the importance of amplifying diverse voices.' Official Selection Competition: 'Renoir' (Japan, France, Singapore, The Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar) by Chie Hayakawa. Official Selection Un Certain Regard: 'Aisha Can't Fly Away' (Egypt, Tunisia, KSA, Sudan, Germany, France, Qatar) by Morad Mostafa; 'Promised Sky' (Tunisia, France, Qatar) by Erige; and 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza' (Palestine, France, Germany, Portugal, Qatar) by Tarzan & Arab Nasser. Critics' Week (Semaine de la Critique): 'Sleepless City' (Spain, France, Qatar) by Guillermo García López; and 'L'Mina' (Morocco, France, Italy, Qatar) by Randa Maroufi. Director's Fortnight (Quinzaine des cinéastes)cTypeface:> 'The President's Cake' (Iraq, USA, Qatar) by Hasan Hadi. ACIDcTypeface:> 'Life After Siham' (Egypt, France, Qatar) by Namir Abdel Messeeh.
Broadcast Pro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
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.
