(L-R) Abdulla Al-Kuwari, Loay Hammad, Laith Hammad

Three young students from Qatar have arrived in Southern Italy and joined over 3,000 jurors to attend the 42nd Giffoni International Film Festival (14 – 24 July).

Selected by the Doha Film Institute, Loay Hammad, 14, from Qatar Acadamy, Abdulla Al-Kuwari, 16, from Khalifa school and Laith Hammad, 18, from Qatar Academy arrived in Giffoni Valle Piana on Saturday (14 July).

Giffoni is the world’s longest running and largest children’s film festival. The jurors are aged three to 23 and are from over 50 countries.

“This educational trip will aim to enrich the students and build on their writing, critiquing and reviewing skills. It’s the best way to see film and interact with their peer group,” said Khalid Alkildi, Student Liaison Manager at Khalifa School. Hollywood stars Nicolas Cage, Jessica Alba, Diane Agron (“Glee”) and Jean Reno are also expected, and will be sharing their experiences with the young jurors.

For eleven days, the students will be watching films, reviewing, attending workshops and participating in master-classes. Each year, organisers give the event a theme. Last year was ‘Link’; this year it’s ‘Happiness’.

Some 168 films are included in the programme. “Madagascar 3 – Europe’s most Wanted” and “Ice Age 4 – Continental Drift” and “Sammy’s Adventures – Escape to Paradise” are among the highlights.

Stay tuned for more news from Giffoni!

Links:
For more information, read DFI’s press release.

Visit the Giffoni website.

To follow Qatari juror Abdulla Al-Kuwari, 16, on Twitter, follow his feed as he tweets from Giffoni.

DFI’s participation and partnership with Giffoni.