Doha: Following an overwhelmingly positive public response, Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) first-ever drive-in cinema experience in Lusail, presented in partnership with Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), will extend its public screenings into the month of April 2021.
Featuring an unmissable selection of films from Disney classics to contemporary family favourites, the drive-in cinema invites audiences of all ages, bringing the community together at safe social distances in line with government guidelines and with the health of all guests as top priority. Tickets and screening schedule are available at www.dohafilminstitute.com/nowplaying.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “We are delighted that the Drive-In Cinema was met with an incredibly positive public reception following its debut at Ajyal Film Festival last month. It is a truly unique community experience, and we look forward to seeing audiences of all ages come together this winter to share in the magic of cinema in a safe space that inspires and delights on every occasion. I would like to thank our partners at Qatar National Tourism Council for their continued support in helping us preserve community spirit and celebrate culture in this new time.”
Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer of QNTC, said: “We are very pleased with the response to the drive-in cinema in Lusail. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted us all to innovate and adapt our offerings. At QNTC, we work closely with partners such as DFI, traversing the public and private sectors, to develop products that cater not only to visitors but also to residents. We look forward to bringing back our vibrant calendar of events, while continuing to maintain the strictest safety and hygiene standards. This drive-in cinema delivers family friendly entertainment, while showcasing Qatar’s culture through film, all within the smart city of Lusail.”
A three-day programme of family-friendly, enthralling shorts will mark Qatar National Day 2020. On December 17 at 6.30pm, the Drive-In features: GubGub by Nouf Al Sulati; Hope by Abdulla Mohammed Al Janahi; Under the Lemon Tree by Noor Al Asswad; Kashta by AJ Al Thani; Unlucky Hamster by Abdulaziz Khashabi; Maha’me by DhabyaAlMuhannadi; Dana’s Kite by Noor al Nasr; Treasures of the Past by Nada Bedair and Rawan Al Nassiri; and YaHoota by Abdulaziz Yousif and Latifa Al Darwish.
Screening on December 18 at 6.30pm is a special short film programme, rated PG-13, featuring works by local talents and Qatar-based filmmakers. The programme includes: Daz by Shouq Shaheen; Fragile by Khuloud Al Ali; Stranger by Yasser Mustafa and Christophe Buffet — winner of the Special Jury Award at the 2020 MIQ Competition; Al-Sit by Suzannah Mirghani; 2020 MIQ Competition Best Documentary Award winner Ander by Alina Mustafina; Under Her Skin by Meriem Mesraoua winner of the Best Narrative Award 2020 MIQ Competition; Embodiment by Khalifa Al Marri; Beyond Broken Walls by Hissa G. Al Mannai; Woman of Steel by Obada Yousef Jarbi, Best Short Film — Bader Category ; and End of the Road by Ahmed Al Sharif.
On December 19, a programme of shorts for the whole family will screen at 6.30pm, including: Unlucky Hamster by Abdulaziz Khashabi; Samha by Noor Fawzi Al Asswad; Sh’hab by Amal Al Muftah; Where Are You Right Meow? by Maysam Al Ani; Al Gawasa by Sheikha Bahzad and Maryam Al Thani; Al Tabbab by Khalifa Al Mana; Khurshid by Mazen Shafea and Mohamed Elamin; and Emsahar by Hassan Al Jahni.
Capturing the holiday spirit on the big screen, Lusail’s drive-in cinema will present Disney’s live-action adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 holiday classic, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston on December 24 at 6.30pm.
Screening on December 25 at the same time will be the captivating animation film Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.
Rounding off the series on December 26 at 6.30pm is Chris Columbus’s beloved classic Home Alone.
SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR