With preparations for the 9th Ajyal Film Festival underway, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) is seeking enthusiastic candidates to volunteer for the annual film event, which will be held from 7 to 19 November 2021.

Continuing to follow safety protocols, the festival will once again be held in a hybrid format, with a selection of in-person events and online activations.

People over 18 years old can apply to volunteer and contribute to the smooth running of the annual celebration of film and be part of one of the region’s leading cultural celebrations.

A unique demonstration of the community spirit fostered by the DFI, the Ajyal volunteers will be exposed to the inner workings of a major cultural event, interact with festival guests and jurors from around the world, gain valuable industry experience and receive a ‘participation certificate’ to honour their involvement.

During the festival, volunteers will be on hand to support different events and venues and help with key aspects of the festival’s operations. These include theatre operations, the Ajyal Jury, transportation, guest registration, guest relations, hospitality, and Geekdom, among others.

All interested candidates may now register on the Doha Film Institute website.

Cultural celebration

DFI CEO and Festival Director Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said that the festival is more than showcasing new and acclaimed voices in regional and global cinema.

It is about bringing together the community in a cultural celebration that adds to the pride of our nation.

Ajyal provides community members with a unique opportunity to make new friends, interact with film industry experts and gain rich insights into the functioning of an international cultural event.

She said that volunteers have played a leading role in the success of the festival’s previous editions, acknowledging their tireless efforts and dedication to making every Ajyal memorable. She added that the 9th edition comes at an exciting time as Qatar moves into a new normal. It is more important than ever to celebrate real connections that shape humanity.

We have been fortunate to have such an enthusiastic team of volunteers who have contributed every step of the way, and we once again welcome their involvement in this year’s event.

The Ajyal Film Festival will not only feature screenings of films from across the world but also hosts the ever-popular Ajyal Creativity Hub that will delight families with a multisensory extravaganza, combining film, art and music.

  • Geekdom, Qatar’s largest and one-of-a-kind pop culture event;
  • Ajyal Talks, gathering leaders from film, art, television, and technology for inspiring and insightful discussions;
  • Ajyal Tunes, celebrating the country’s musical talents through a mix of online initiatives and in-person concerts;
  • The Ajyal Exhibition series, featuring works of art by emerging and accomplished local artists.

Ajyal Film Festival is committed to ensuring the safety of all staff, volunteers and participants. It will adhere to the safety protocols advised by government authorities.

As volunteering will require in-person participation at festival venues and/or with jurors, all volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or recovered from COVID-19 as of 26 November 2020). To apply, volunteers must consent to declaring their COVID-19 vaccination status and disclosing vaccination proof.

For updates and more information, visit dohafilminstitute.com.

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