(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Veteran Kuwaiti actor Jassim al-Nabhan highlighted the importance of cinema as a vehicle for distinct points of view, stressing that Doha Film Festival (DFF) should become a key pillar for the Gulf film industry.“Before the 1980s, there were other prominent Arab festivals, such as the Damascus Festival, Baghdad Festival, Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia, and the Arab Festival in Egypt. Each year, they contributed to raising the quality of artistic work.
“Festivals today are more important than ever, and given the importance of previous Arab festivals, I hope the DFF becomes a pivotal platform for supporting cinema in the Gulf. Cinema, after all, carries an important point of view,” al-Nabhan said, reflecting on his illustrious career in theatre, television, and voice acting. At 81, he emphasised the importance of film festivals today in keeping art and cultural exchange alive. Capturing the hearts of audiences across generations, al-Nabhan portrayed over 300 roles.
In some households, he became beloved without ever being seen as the voice of dubbed cartoons such as Lady Oscar, Adnan and Lina, and Iron Man. He discussed the significance of continuing this tradition of creating children's content in a unified Classical Arabic, which can be widely understood. Al-Nabhan, who found a love of theatre, gymnastics, and scouting in classrooms in the 1960s, also showed a special appreciation for schools as institutions that can ignite hobbies in young people, warning against over-reliance on online forums.
Throughout the session, al-Nabhan returned to the importance of regional collaboration, offering hope for a resurgence of such historical efforts that align with DFF's vision of uniting filmmakers and audiences through a shared love for bold, authentic storytelling.

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