Abdulaziz Bin Khalid Al-Khater (Photo by Raymond Bobar)

By Anealla Safdar

With just days until the Festival begins, Abdulaziz Bin Khalid Al-Khater, DFI’s CEO, takes a moment to share his thoughts on what’s coming and why he’s excited.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
Made in Qatar. The programme puts a bright spotlight on home-grown talent this year. There are 19 films, including 15 world premieres, all by filmmakers in Qatar, and I feel incredibly proud of the achievements of our local talents.

In just its second year, Made in Qatar has increased exponentially in size. Is that why you’re excited about it?
Not only is it how much it’s grown, but also the diversity of the films being shown. It’s that diversity that I’m interested in, and seeing how people react to it.

What can audiences expect from Made in Qatar?
I am very excited by the variety this year. There will be four programmes; ‘New Hopes’ which includes five films about hope and pain; ‘Through Their Eyes’ will show 10 short stories of love, friendship and introspective documentaries; ‘Angel in June’ is an exciting story based on real life events in Doha’s Filipino community; and there is ‘Thriller Night’ with three horror films.

Right, and the films are by filmmakers from many backgrounds…
Absolutely. I think that’s really great. In fact, one of the films I am really looking forward to seeing is ‘Angel in June’, the film by a Filipino director. It’s exposing a story that’s happening right next door to me, but that I probably know nothing about.

Imagine I have never been to a film festival. I’m a bit intimidated by it all. Should I buy tickets to the kind of films I usually watch? How have the films been selected?
One of the nice things about festivals is that they’re designed in a way to introduce people to new kinds of films. It’s a little bit like going to the restaurant and choosing the same thing every time because you like it, but then trying something new and realising the rest of the menu is actually pretty cool too.

The Festival’s curatorial team includes programmers, cultural advisors and a community outreach department. The films are selected on their recommendations and evaluations, keeping in line with DFI’s mandate – to bring the best of world cinema to the local community.

This year we’re paying tribute to Algerian cinema. What challenges does it have now, and how is our celebration going to help?
I think the challenges in Algerian cinema are probably shared by much of the Arab world these days. By celebrating Algerian cinema at the Festival, we are reminding filmmakers and creative people that film is an important and powerful medium to tell their stories, especially at times of important change like this.

Which Algerian films stand out for you?
I’m excited about the Algerian entries in our Arab Film Competition. ‘Fidaï’ is a documentary that is interesting in terms of content and format. It’s a retracing of the footsteps of someone who was intimately involved in a key moment of Arab history, and it gains a certain authenticity because the story is being told in the first person. ‘The Repentant’ by Merzak Allouache, is another film I am very excited about. It’s a touching tale about a young jihadist who leaves the mountains after the civil war to go back home and have a normal life. On a very different note, ’Goodbye Morocco’ is a tense, emotional drama about a woman trying to remodel her life. We’re also screening five older Algerian films – including Gillo Pontecorvo’s classic ‘The Battle of Algiers’ – in the tribute, made between 1966 and 2006, so there’s plenty for everyone!

DTFF 2012 marks the first time entries from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been selected for the Arab Film Competition. What does this say to you?
It represents the progress of Gulf filmmaking and I think it’s the start of something bigger. We’re seeing more and more creative voices out of the Gulf. This is just the beginning.

Do you expect more filmmakers and consequently films from the Gulf states to strengthen the industry in the future? Who would you say are the rising producers or filmmakers we should watch out for?
I think we’re going to see an increase in terms of quality and quantity, and new players in the filmmaking world. There are many talented film professionals who are gaining international acclaim. There is an abundance of talent in the GCC region, including Mohammed Al-Ibrahim (‘Lockdown: Red Moon Escape’ and ‘Bidoon’); Ahd (‘Sanctity’); Ahmed Al-Baker (‘Lockdown: Red Moon Escape’); Sara Al Saadi, Maaria Assami and Latifa Al-Darwish (‘Bader’); and Noor Ahmed Yaquib (Crazy Calm). Make sure you get to see these.

Beyond the Festival, how does DFI support the region’s film industry?
We’re committed to supporting the evolution of a MENA-based film industry. Our aim is to inspire, nurture and empower a new generation of storytellers locally, regionally and globally. Until now, the Arab world has taken a sort of back seat in promoting its own films. Our MENA Grants support MENA filmmakers, for example, in producing and developing their own stories. Along with financing, we also help aspiring filmmakers by providing opportunities for them to strengthen their skills through programmes organised by our Gulf Development Unit.

Community seems to be an important word at this year’s Fest…
Yes, there’s a huge focus on the community. DTFF 2012 serves as a focal point for identifying and nurturing local talent. It also provides a global platform for the next generation of MENA filmmakers to successfully showcase their skills. We’ve also extended our Family Programme to four days, with a range of activities for parents and children. In so many ways, this year’s Festival belongs to the community. It’s going to be entertaining, educational and inspiring, and I hope to see everyone there.

How has cinema changed here in Qatar since you were a child? What’s your best cinema memory?
Cinema has changed so much. When modern and larger cinemas were brought in to Doha, that had a huge impact on our entertainment options, and at the same time opened up many opportunities. When I was a child, there was only the Gulf/Doha Cinema. They didn’t show any Hollywood movies – they only showed Indian films. My first cinema experience wasn’t here at all; it was in London, where I watched ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980). It’s still one of my favourites. Now the choices are endless; cinemas do a wonderful job of showing mainstream films. We, along with our partners like Katara and the Qatar Museums Authority, showcase more independent and creative films, offering viewers a rich insight into films from across the globe.

Just in case you are able to squeeze in a film at DTFF 2012, what’s your pet hate at the cinema?
Noisy people!

That’s a popular concern. And popcorn – sweet or salty?
Salty, definitely.

One final question. Robert De Niro is probably packing up his suitcase ahead of a 13-hour flight from New York to Doha. What’s your favourite De Niro film?
Oh. Wow. All of them! I’m really looking forward to Silver Linings Playbook.