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The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Soudade Kaadan and Elia Suleiman invited to join Academy behind the Oscars
Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan and Palestinian director Elia Suleiman are among the Middle East figures who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars. Kaadan is best known for Nezouh, a surreal coming-of-age story set in war-torn Damascus, which won the Armani Beauty Audience Award at the 2022 Venice Film Festival. Her 2018 film, The Day I Lost My Shadow, was also awarded at Venice and became the first Syrian film to screen at the festival in decades. Suleiman, meanwhile, is a seminal figure in Arab cinema, known for works like Divine Intervention and It Must Be Heaven, which explore themes of Palestinian identity and struggle under Israeli occupation through satire and deadpan humour. Kaadan and Suleiman's inclusion comes as part of the Academy's latest round of membership invitations, extended to 534 figures from across filmmaking disciplines. Prominent international names includes Ariana Grande, Dave Bautista, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin and Jason Momoa. Those who accept the invitation become voting members of the Academy, with the power to help shape Oscars nominations and winners. They're also eligible to join one of its 18 branches, from directing and writing, to documentary and editing. More than half of those invited come from countries and territories outside the US, in what appears to be a bid to diversify the voting ranks of the Oscars. The Academy, which has more than 10,000 members, has long faced criticism for its lack of representation, particularly in terms of race, gender and geography. The #OscarsSoWhite backlash of 2015 and 2016 sparked a reckoning within the institution, spurring an initiative to broaden its membership and better reflect the global community. 'We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy,' said Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, the Academy's chief executive and president respectively. 'Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.' There is a marked presence of Arab and Middle Eastern talent in the wave of membership. These include several Palestinian talents, such as Mediterranean Fever director Maha Haj, Wedding in Galilee director Michel Khleifi, Another Body editor Rabab Haj Yahya as well as Hamdan Ballal and Basel Adra, recognised for co-directing No Other Land, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature this year. The documentary follows the struggles faced by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra as he tries to protect his West Bank village Masafer Yatta from Israeli settlers. Asmae El Moudir was also invited to join the Academy. The Moroccan filmmaker is known for her documentary The Mother of All Lies, the country's submission for best international feature film at the 2024 Oscars. The growing presence of Arab filmmakers in the Academy is an uplifting shift in an organisation that has long focused on Hollywood. Their inclusion brings regional narratives into global focus, while also empowering filmmakers from across the region to shape how cinema is perceived in the industry's most influential stage.
Broadcast Pro
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Qumra 2025 opens with record global participation
Qumra 2025 has welcomed accomplished industry professionals from 50 nations to provide constructive feedback during one-on-one sessions and specially curated industry consultations Doha Film Institute's flagship talent incubator, Qumra, launched its 11th edition on April 4, bringing together over 250 international film industry professionals in Doha to mentor emerging filmmakers and support the development of bold new voices in Arab and global cinema. The in-person component runs through April 9, with online sessions scheduled from April 12 to 14, offering extended access to expert guidance for filmmakers at various stages of development. This year's Qumra marks a record-breaking level of international participation, with industry representatives from 50 countries—the largest and most diverse gathering to date. Delegates hail from across the globe, including Argentina, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Luxembourg, Burkina Faso, Taiwan and beyond. Reflecting its growing global relevance, the event emphasizes voices from the Global South, spotlighting creative talent from Asia, Africa and Latin America, and reaffirming DFI's commitment to supporting underrepresented storytellers in world cinema. This year's mentorship for Qumra filmmakers will extend beyond in-person meetings from April 4 to 9 to include online sessions from April 12 to 14, further expanding access to the invaluable guidance of industry experts that will support the success of their projects. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: 'The presence of industry experts at Qumra is more than just guidance—it is a powerful catalyst for transformation. By sharing their knowledge, experience, and networks, these mentors empower new voices to carve their space on the global stage, ensuring that diverse and compelling stories find their rightful place in the world. We are deeply grateful to these experts for joining us in our commitment to the next generation of global storytellers and for their invaluable support in helping shape the future of world cinema.' This year's edition features 27 feature-length films, 10 series and 12 short films at different stages of development, production and post-production. Each participating project team will receive customised consultations from internationally renowned mentors and consultants through one-on-one meetings, roundtables, and workshops. Renowned filmmakers such as Elia Suleiman, Rithy Panh, Annemarie Jacir, Ghassan Salhab, Kamal Aljafari, Tala Hadid and Talal Derki return as key mentors, guiding participants with their creative insight and experience. The lineup of project consultants includes prominent figures like Brigid O'Shea, Sebastián Sepúlveda, Dora Bouchoucha, Bob Moore and Zsuzsi Bankuti, among many others, while experts specializing in series and short films will also be on hand to offer strategic and narrative support. Qumra's influence extends beyond the weeklong event, with many mentors engaged in DFI's year-round training programs such as the Filmmaking Lab, Producers Lab, Feature Script Lab and First Cut Lab. Notably, 21 of this year's selected projects have evolved from these developmental initiatives, underscoring Qumra's role in cultivating long-term growth for emerging artists. A wide range of production companies and producers, including Abbout Productions, Film Clinic, Katara Studios, The Film House, and Watermelon Pictures, are attending, alongside representatives from major international film festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Venice, Locarno and Karlovy Vary. These industry leaders will participate in feedback panels and offer professional insights during work-in-progress screenings. Sales and distribution companies including Films Boutique, Memento International, Luxbox, and MAD Solutions are also in attendance, as are influential broadcasters and streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Mubi, Shahid, OSN, Al Jazeera and Arte France. Film institutes and funding bodies such as CNC, Eurimages, Sundance Institute, and The Whickers add further strength to the event's financial and development ecosystem. Leading training labs and development platforms like EAVE, La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde, Torino Film Lab, and Locarno Open Doors are present, ensuring that participants gain access to the latest industry strategies and global opportunities. Additionally, key players from the drama and series markets such as Miramax, Series Mania, Rise Studios and ZDF Studios will offer valuable input for serialized content. Throughout the week, Qumra will host a wide array of professional activities, including masterclasses, project pitching, curated matchmaking sessions, and feedback forums—all designed to provide emerging talent with meaningful pathways to success. Public screenings of DFI-supported films will also take place alongside the industry programme, allowing local and international audiences to engage with the fruits of these collaborations.
