(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Doha: The Doha film Institute announced on Sunday on the sidelines of the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival the confirmed Qumra 2023 Masters of the annual industry incubator event crucial to the success of first and second-time filmmakers from the Arab world and beyond.
This year, multi Academy Award and BAFTA winning British playwright, screenwriter, and director Sir Christopher Hampton (The Father, Dangerous Liaisons, Atonement); theatre, film and TV veteran Academy Award winning producer David Parfitt (The Father, Shakespeare in Love, My Week with Marilyn, Loving Vincent); visionary costume designer and four Academy Award nominee Jacqueline West (Dune, The Revenant, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button); Cannes award veteran Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin, You Were Never Really Here, Ratcatcher); and winner of the Golden Berlin Bear and Silver Berlin Bear Awards, critically acclaimed British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom (The Road to Guantanamo, A Mighty Heart, Welcome to Sarajevo) are confirmed as the Masters for the 2023 edition of the annual development event for emerging global talent, taking place from March 10-15.
In the 9th edition of Qumra, the prolific filmmakers will deliver Master Classes to upcoming filmmakers from the region and around the world, providing them with unique creative development and mentorship opportunities. Qumra also provides participants with thorough mentoring programmes led by global film industry experts, as well as key business meetings with leading film industry professionals.
Supporting the script-to-screen journey of emerging filmmakers, Qumra 2023 will be held in an innovative hybrid format with in-person events being held from March 10 to 15, and virtual sessions from March 19 to 21.
Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said, 'We are honoured to welcome five exceptional film luminaries who have defined individuality in cinema as our Qumra 2023 Masters. The mentorship these accomplished film professionals provide will be invaluable to the success of the selected filmmakers and their projects.
'Through our innovative hybrid model, we are able to foster the in-person engagement that is essential to the filmmaking process while offering the opportunity for filmmakers to extend discussions conveniently online. We are excited to advance the work of these emerging talents, and are confident they will follow in the footsteps of earlier Qumra participants who have forged a path to global acclaim. The latest edition of Qumra will continue its presence as a unique and important platform for important voices and compelling stories in Arab and world cinema.'
Elia Suleiman, Artistic Advisor, Doha Film Institute, said, 'The Qumra 2023 Masters are luminaries in world cinema, and bring a unique perspective on filmmaking that will incredibly benefi our filmmakers in their creative journeys. Our 2023 Qumra Masters have established their own distinctive idiom in cinema. They are exceptional filmmakers who present unique insights into their craft and define what it is to continuously elevate the standards of world cinema.'
Over the past eight editions, Qumra has been central to the success of filmmakers from the Arab world and beyond, and in supporting important independent voices in global storytelling. Selected projects, which will be announced shortly, will have access to mentorship and networking sessions with the Qumra Masters as well as the hundreds of industry professionals and experts who will join this year's Qumra.