The Doha Film Institute (DFI) yesterday announced the recipients of its 2021 Spring Grants cycle that supports first-and second-time filmmakers from around the world.
Doha Film Institute announces 2021 Spring Grants for 32 film projects
09 Jun 2021 - 19:23
The Peninsula
Doha: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) today announced the recipients of its 2021 Spring Grants cycle that supports first- and second-time filmmakers from around the world. A total of 32 film projects by emerging and established filmmakers from the Arab region and globally have been selected for the Institute’s leading financing initiative, which supports new voices in cinema and the development of universally resonant stories.
DFI’s Spring Grants 2021 recipients covers a wide range of film productions that include feature, documentary, short film, and TV series with 28 projects from the Middle East and North Africa, including three from Qatar, underlining its role as a strong advocate of powerful Arab cinema and emerging talent. Four film projects in this cycle are from the non-MENA region representing France, India and Mexico.
When 42-year-old stockbroker-turned-filmmaker Farah Nabulsi was waiting to hear if she’d been nominated for an Oscar last month, she had to beg her three teenage sons to join her on the sofa at their West London home.
She needed moral support, she jokes today. ‘I said: “Come and sit with me. If it’s not there, I’ll need a hug. And if it is there, I’ll need a hug”.’
It’s not that her boys didn’t care. They’re just rather accustomed to their mother an untrained, first-time director winning things.
Her short film, The Present, about a Palestinian man and his daughter who set out to buy an anniversary gift for his wife a simple task that proves fraught due to the Israeli checkpoints they must pass through has already won 25 jury and audience awards at film festivals around the world. Most recently it won the Bafta for Best British Short Film.
The Present took home the Bafta on Saturday evening for Best British Short Film.
Nabulsi virtually accepted the award at the first instalment of a two-part ceremony, the main event for which will take place on Sunday evening, virtually, from London.
The film, which is Nabulsi’s directorial debut, tells the story of Yousef, played by Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, who decides to go with his daughter to buy a gift for his wife on their wedding anniversary. However, the task of shopping for the gift is made almost impossible because of the challenges of life under occupation.
The award for British Short Film was presented by Clara Amfo, who announced
The Present#EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/DLaHd3f03P BAFTA (@BAFTA) March 9, 2021
The Present tells the story of Yousef, played by Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, who decides to go with his daughter to buy a gift for his wife on their wedding anniversary. However, the task of shopping for the gift is made almost impossible because of the challenges of life under occupation.
The film made its world premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in February 2020 and won the audience award.
For Best British Short, it will be competing against
Miss Curvy by Ghada Eldemellawy,
Lizard by Akinola Davies Jr,