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• Audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy inspiring talks with international human rights hero and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Alaa Murabit and youth climate activist Sophia Kianni
• World-renowned Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan to share her creative process

Doha, Qatar; November 17, 2020: The Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) 8th Ajyal Film Festival presents world-renowned Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan, Libyan international humanitarian hero Dr. Alaa Murabit, and climate and environment activist Sophia Kianni, as part of this year’s virtual Ajyal Talks showcase.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “Ajyal Talks inspires audiences of all ages, challenging them to expand their understanding of the world and unlock new perspectives. We are honoured to welcome three trailblazing women – Dr. Alaa Murabit, Dana Al Fardan and Sophia Kianni – to join us in unmissable dialogues on global leadership, musical inspiration and the urgent need for sustainability and climate change response.”

“Each of our speakers has carved out their own singular space in the global market and represents the creativity of women as leaders. We look forward to witnessing their inspiring stories empower and broaden the worldview of the next generation of change-makers.”

Celebrated as a ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’, one of Canada’s 100 most impactful women in history, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, ‘In Conversation with Dr. Alaa Murabit’ at 5 PM on Friday, 20 November will be a virtual discussion not to be missed. Nicknamed the “The Libyan Doogie Howser” by Jon Stewart for attending medical school at 15, Dr. Murabit serves as an advisor to organisations such as the UN Women Global Advisory Board and the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). In 2019, Dr. Murabit was selected as one of the Top 20 of the ‘World’s 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy’ alongside Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Melinda Gates, and Michelle Obama, and has spoken at some of the most prestigious events and institutions around the world, including SXSW, Oxford, and TED.

‘In Conversation with Dana Al Fardan’ will be held online at 5 PM on Sunday, 22 November. Qatar’s foremost female contemporary composer, Dana Al Fardan, will discuss how artists can lean into the trials caused by the recent pandemic to turn them into triumphs. Al Fardan will take audiences through her intriguing creative process, with key points uniquely illustrated through excerpts of accompanying compositions. Audiences will learn about the source of her inspiration and what it means to create melodic narratives to tell engaging stories through music.

Climate and environmental youth activist, Sophia Kianni, will deliver the third virtual Ajyal Talk ‘In Conversation with Sophia Kianni’ at 4 PM on Monday, 23 November. At 18 years old, Kianni is the youngest member on the United Nations Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Her passion for environmental advocacy stemmed from the devastating effect of pollution that she witnessed on her parents’ home country of Iran. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, an international nonprofit with over 6,000 volunteers in 40+ countries working to translate climate information into more than 100 languages. Kianni has been featured in Forbes, CNN, The Guardian, CNBC, and on the front page of The Washington Post, and has been commended by the Congressional Committee on the Climate Crisis and the United Nations Foundation for her advocacy.

Tickets for this programme are free upon reservation. For up-to-date information and ticket reservation please visit: www.dohafilminstitute.com/festival.

2020 Ajyal Film Festival’s Official Partners include: Katara Cultural Village Foundation – Cultural Partner; Qatar National Tourism Council – Principal Partner; Novo Cinemas, Ooredoo – Strategic Partner, Msheireb Properties, Lusail, Qatari Diar – Signature Sponsors.