A fascinating multimedia exhibition, Intaj, was opened by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) yesterday. It traces Qatar’s film, television, and theatre’s remarkable history. The exhibition at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb as part of the Doha Film Experience activities will run until January 22.
Intaj, curated by Sheikh Khalifa Abdulla Al Thani, is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Msheireb Properties and Qatar Museums, with the Qatar Media Corporation as Media Partner. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 10pm daily; on Fridays the event will open doors from 2pm to 10pm.
DFI Chief Executive Office, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, said: “Intaj is a shining tribute to our nation’s heritage and legacy in theatre, television and cinema, each with its own unique niche that has contributed to Qatar’s global position as a centre of cultural excellence. Together with various other artforms, they are the beating heart of our nation’s rich identity, which we proudly share with the world during the Doha Film Experience and beyond. Intaj will showcase exceptionally talented multidisciplinary artists that highlight our nation not only as a world class destination for sports, but for creative inspiration as well.”
DFI Chairperson H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Qatar Media Corporation CEO H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Thani Al Thani; Qatar Museums Member of the Board of Trustees H E Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi; State Minister and President of Qatar National Library H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari; Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary-General H E Hassan Al Thawadi; Hamad bin Khalifa University Founding Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Amal Al Malki; Qatar Museums CEO Ahmad Musa Al Namla; Qatar Museums Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions and Marketing, Sheikha Reem Al Thani; Abu Issa Holding Chairman and CEO Ashraf Abu Issa; composer and songwriter Dana Al Fardan and Msheireb Properties Director of Marketing and Communication, Dr. Hafez Ali Ali, among others who were the notable guests in attendance at the opening.
The opening gallery at Intaj, Taking Centre Stage, highlights the dramatic rise of theatre in the country. Tuned In, celebrates Qatar’s globally acclaimed television industry at Intaj’s second gallery. The third gallery meanwhile spotlights Qatar’s rich cinematic history with A Focus on Filmmaking, beginning with modest 16mm film theatres in the 1950s.
The art form grew into today’s thriving cinema industry, and in 2010, Sheikha Mayassa founded the DFI to support the continued growth of the Qatari and regional film community through funding, training and international networking opportunities for content creators in the Arab world and beyond. To date, the Institute has supported over 750 projects from over 75 countries and is the first Arab organisation to receive 10 Oscar nominations in seven consecutive years for its supported films.
The Intaj journey presents inspiring works from local multidisciplinary artists in ‘The Interactive Age of Storytellers’ gallery. The journey concludes with a retrospective of world cinematic history with the Qatar Museums gallery, ‘The Story of Cinema’ and a cinematographic wall featuring contributions from Qatar’s creative community.
