Qumra 2017, the industry initiative by the Doha Film Institute to nurture the next generation of filmmaking talent, will host the inaugural Qumra Talks from 5 to 7 March, with interactive discussions led by industry experts covering diverse topics that reflect key industry developments, from writing for animation to the power of digital media and its increasing relevance in modern storytelling.  

Organised in partnership with the Northwestern University in Qatar, Qumra Talks is a series of three specially curated discussions, open to the public, that gathers leaders from the film, TV, technology and online worlds to share their insights on topics that add value to participants by offering new perspectives into areas that are redefining the film and media ecosystem.

5 March, from 3 pm to 5 pm
Under the Milky Way CEO Pierre Alexandre Labelle, Front Row Filmed Entertainment Managing Director Gianluca Chakra, and Iflix Head of Middle East and North Africa Nader Sobhan will mark the first Qumra Talk on ‘International Distribution and Marketing.’ They will share their insights on the direction of the digital film distribution value chain and how independent producers can best use emerging platforms to both finance productions and recoup on their investment. This session will provide a general overview of the VOD industry, present specific case studies and discuss the role, limits and future of digital distribution as a long-term solution to reach wider and more engaged audiences in the MENA Region.

6 March, from 3 pm to 5 pm
Mike Reiss, acclaimed American television comedy writer and producer, who has won four Emmys writing for The Simpsons, will take centrestage as he discusses ‘Writing and Production Animation.’ Contributing writer to two dozen animated films, including Ice Age, Kung Fu Panda and Despicable Me, he will take the audience through his career, describing lessons learned along the way and demonstrating how all those skills come together in The Simpsons, in a lively class featuring rare animated clips.

7 March, from 3 pm to 5 pm
Join the Qumra Talk on ‘Al Jazeera’s Strategic Pivot to Digital’. The session will explore how Al Jazeera conceived and implemented a long-term strategic pivot from traditional media organisation to digital-first media brand. It will also present some digital products that were successfully incubated and launched by Al Jazeera such as AJ+.

Qumra 2017 programming includes industry meetings designed to assist in propelling selected projects to the next stages of development, through master classes, work-in-progress screenings, bespoke matchmaking sessions and tailored workshops with industry experts. Qumra will be held from 3–8 March at Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Find details about Qumra 2017 on Marhaba Events Calendar