Doha: Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the recipients of its 2024 Fall Grants, which continues to support emerging and established filmmakers from the Arab world and beyond. The longest-serving film development initiative in the region, DFI’s Grants program nurtures first- and second-time filmmakers as well as acclaimed directors from across the world. The grants aim to empower filmmakers by providing the resources they need to bring their unique visions to life.
According to Qatar News Agency, the selection includes an array of projects across various stages of production, reflecting DFI’s commitment to nurturing diverse voices and innovative storytelling. For the 2024 Fall Grants cycle, 47 projects from 23 nations that span a range of genres, including narrative, documentary, experimental films, and series content, highlighting the Institute’s dedication to fostering creativity and cinematic excellence. In addition to 11 projects by Qatari and Qatar-based talent, the projects hail from countries such as Algeria, Armenia, Belgium, Denmark, and others. This year’s recipients include 21 women filmmakers and 21 returning grantees.
Commenting on this, DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi stated, “Our grants programme is a cornerstone of our mission to support filmmakers in realizing their artistic potential and telling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.” Alremaihi added that DFI Grants have enabled the script-to-screen journey of over 850 important projects in cinema from across the world, contributing to the advancement of cinema and the empowerment of underrepresented voices. The recipients of this cycle represent a remarkable blend of talent, vision, and cultural richness, who will continue to drive progression of the industry to new heights.
The 2024 Fall Grants recipients include projects across various categories. In the MENA – Feature Narrative – Development section, projects such as “Amara” by Michelle Keserwany and “Camera Obscura” by Viola Shafik were selected. The MENA – Feature Narrative – Production category features “In Memory of Times to Come” by Larissa Sansour and “Love-45” by Anas Khalaf, among others. Additional categories include Feature Narrative – Post-Production, Feature Documentary – Development, and many more, comprising a diverse range of storytelling and cultural representation.
This initiative continues to reflect DFI’s ongoing support for filmmakers, providing an international platform for unique and compelling stories to be told.