Young filmmakers share insights on making cinema amid pandemic

The triumph of three young filmmakers in making cinema amidst the pandemic, under the mentorship of Oscar-nominated Cambodian-French creative documentarian Rithy Panh, was highlighted at Qumra 2021, Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) annual talent incubator for Arab cinema.

Addressing the media, Rithy Panh commented, ultimately, making cinema is about looking into yourself, your past, our future, the world around us and our memories. “All your stories are inside your body,” said Rithy, who tutored filmmakers as part of DFI’s Short Documentary Lab. The sessions were virtual, including group discussions and several one-on-one sessions. He said the external challenges do not limit your ability to “narrate your story or point of view.” Joining him were the directors of the documentaries selected for the Doc Lab: Majid Al-Remaihi (And Then They Burn the Sea – Qatar/Arabic, English/2021); Maysaa Almumin (…And I Was Left Behind - Qatar, Kuwait/Arabic/2021); and Suzannah Mirghani (Virtual Voice – Qatar, Sudan/ English/2021).