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• Open to all, volunteering for the Ajyal Film Festival is a unique demonstration of the community spirit fostered by the Institute
• Adapted festival edition features programme of online and in-person activities, taking active responsibility for the physical health and safety of all participants

Doha, Qatar October 04, 2021: With preparations for the ninth Ajyal Film Festival underway, the Doha Film Institute is seeking enthusiastic candidates to volunteer for the ninth edition of the annual film event to be held from November 7 to 19, 2021. Continuing to follow safety protocols, the festival will once again be held in hybrid format, with a selection of in-person events and online activations.

People over the age 18 can apply to volunteer for the event and contribute to the smooth running of the annual celebration of film, providing them an opportunity to be part of one of the region’s leading cultural celebrations. A unique demonstration of the community spirit fostered by the Doha Film Institute, the Ajyal volunteers will be exposed to the inner workings of a major cultural event, interact with Festival guests and jurors from around the world, gain valuable industry experience, and receive a participation certificate to honour their involvement.

During Ajyal Film Festival, volunteers will be on hand to support different Festival events and venues and help with key aspects of the festival’s operations including theatre operations, the Ajyal Jury, transportation, guest registration, guest relations, hospitality, Geekdom among others.

All interested candidates aged 18 and above can register on the Doha Film Institute website from 16 September at www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/volunteer.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “The Ajyal Film Festival is about more than showcasing new and acclaimed voices in regional and global cinema, it is also about bringing together the community in a cultural celebration that adds to the pride of our nation. Ajyal provides community members with a unique opportunity to make new friends, interact with film industry experts and gain rich insights into the functioning of an international cultural event.

“Our volunteers have played a leading role in the success of the Festival in the previous editions. Their tireless efforts and dedication have been instrumental in making every Ajyal memorable for us and our guests. The ninth edition of the Festival comes at an exciting time as we move into a new normal, and it is more important than ever to celebrate real connections that have shaped humanity. We have been fortunate to have such an enthusiastic team of volunteers who have contributed every step of the way, and we once again welcome their involvement for this year’s event.”

The Ajyal Film Festival will not only feature screenings of films from across the world but also hosts the ever-popular Ajyal Creativity Hub that will delight families with a multisensory extravaganza that combines film, art and music; Geekdom, Qatar’s largest and one-of-a-kind pop culture event; Ajyal Talks, gathering leaders from film, art, television, and technology for inspiring and insightful discussions; and Ajyal Tunes, celebrating the country’s musical talents through a mix of online initiatives and in-person concerts. Guests can also look forward to the Ajyal Exhibition series that present works of art by emerging and accomplished local artists.

Ajyal Film Festival is committed to ensuring the safety of all its staff, volunteers, and participants and will adhere to the safety protocols advised by the governing authorities. As volunteering will require in-person participation at Festival venues and/or with Jurors, all volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or recovered from COVID-19 as of 26 November 2020). To apply, volunteers must consent to declaring their COVID-19 vaccination status and disclosing vaccination proof.

One of the region’s most anticipated film festivals celebrating creative interaction and promoting cultural understanding through cinema, Ajyal Film Festival 2021 will return to showcase compelling films from across the world. DFI’s annual signature event is an immersive celebration of community and the permeating power of film for audiences across generations, with a unique focus on young talent development through its internationally acclaimed youth jury programme for ages 8 to 25.

An invaluable exchange of culture and learning through film, Ajyal’s move into the virtual sphere last year inspired an even greater number of participants to benefit from this one-of-a-kind cultural initiative. The eighth edition of the festival in 2020 screened 80 films from 46 countries in an innovative mix of virtual and in-person film screenings, interactive discussions, and DFI’s first-ever drive-in cinema in Lusail as part of a programme of unique experiences for all ages.