(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera I The Peninsula
Harry Potter star Tom Felton said he was blown away by Qatari hospitality and Qatar's amazing architecture and landscape on his first visit to the country, while expressing interest to work with Doha Film Institute (DFI) in the future.
In Doha as celebrity guest at the ongoing sixth Ajyal Film Festival, Felton, known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the hit Harry Potter film series, was speaking to reporters at a press briefing yesterday at Katara Cultural Village. 'I'm very excited to be here. Everyone is so lovely and it's a beautiful country. It's my first trip in this part of the world and Qatar is absolutely beautiful and I'm very excited to see more of it, he said.
He was thrilled to be part of the festival and 'to instil excitement in the youngsters here and so many youngsters around the world. I feel it's very important to give back in a way because they gave me a lot of inspiration when I was growing up making films.
'I'm just here to explore this part of the world for the first time and hopefully get the chance to inspire lots of youngsters who are passionate about film, the British actor and musician added.
Asked on whether he is willing to get involved in a DFI project if given the chance, he said: 'Absolutely. I've only been here for 24 hours but I'm already blown away of the hospitality and the beautiful architecture and the amazing landscape, so maybe this will be the first of many trips to come.
On his view of the concept of Ajyal having young jurors, he said: 'I think it's fantastic. I think it's the most important thing to try to inspire the youth; these are the next great filmmakers of the world, aren't they? I was so heavily inspired when I was six or seven years old so to get such a mixed group of people from around the world at that age, I think, you can never underestimate the effect that might have.
Over 550 young jurors from 55 nationalities including 25 international jurors from Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom make up this year's Ajyal jury.
On being identified by many for his villainous Harry Potter role, he said: 'I feel very grateful, I won't be sitting here if it was not for that. There are many actors who have done many different things but they will be remembered for certain roles. I'm very proud of it, very grateful; I'm sure all the kids I'm about to meet know me for that role.
He said he is currently busy with his latest project 'Origin which is a sci-fi ten-part series currently showing via YouTube Premium. 'A TV show on YouTube has just been launched in YouTube Premium called 'Origin, a ten-part series which we have been shooting for the last seven months or so. That was the last project I did, he noted.
This year's Ajyal Film Festival being held at Katara features 81 films from 36 countries are participating in this year's festival which also comprises exciting events and activities including the Ajyal Creativity Hub.
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