DOHA FILMMAKERS from the Gulf region and Iraq called for the creation of a concerted film industry development strategy and to strengthen infrastructure to promote regional filmmaking, at a discussion with the media at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), the annual cultural event of Doha Film Institute (DFI).
Attended by Bassam al Thawadi, Bahraini film producer and director; Mohamed al Daradji, Iraqi director; Khalid Mahmoud, Emirati filmmaker; Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, Emirati scriptwriter; and Abdulaziz al Dorani, Qatari actor, the session was moderated by Saad Burshaid of Qatar Media Corporation.
The discussion principally focused on why Arab film production is yet to achieve full momentum with Thawadi pointing out that the relatively lower population in the Gulf region is one reason why the regional film industry is being limited in the number of productions.
“When we cater to a narrow demographic, it is difficult to recover the costs, and that is why it is important to have governmental and private sector support to filmmaking as well as a creating a robust film infrastructure,” Thawadi said.
He said that the lack of qualified technicians has been a challenge faced by the industry with Thawadi himself having to complete his earlier film post-production works in countries like Egypt, Greece and India, which in turn led to increased costs.
Khalid Mahmoud said a robust film movement is happening in the region today, especially with filmmaking technology being simpler now.
While Daradji said investing in film education and active governmental support can power the industry tremendously. He cited the example of Norway and Morocco, which had fledgling film industries in the 1980s, and through governmental funding now produce about 25 films a year.
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