Visually impaired and hard-of-hearing viewers can enjoy the fourth Ajyal Youth Film Festival with the screening of the special ‘trans-adapted’ version of The Idol by two-time Oscar-nominated Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad.
The screening is part of this year’s unique festival offerings presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI) and marks the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is presented in collaboration with the Translation and Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University and follows the successful screening of the Hero and the Message last year.
Visually impaired audiences can view the film through sound with audio description of the sound effects.
Hard-of-hearing viewers and those who have difficulty understanding speech, will benefit from subtitles enriched with information about sound effects and music.
“The inclusive experience of The Idol highlights our commitment to bring a deeply inspiring film from our region to new audiences. We extend our appreciation to the students at Hamad bin Khalifa University for their painstaking effort to creatively adapt the film for all audiences and provide a unique cinema experience,” said DFI CEO and Festival Director Fatma Al Remaihi.
Ajyal’s inclusivity also extends beyond the realm of film viewing experience with the inclusion of two young jurors with disabilities this year, according to Deputy Festival Director Reem Saleh.
More than 500 jurors from the ages of 8 to 21 who make up the Ajyal Competition Jury will watch and analyse a dynamic programme of films under three competitive sections – Mohaq, Hilal, and Bader – followed by discussions and events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
The jury, Saleh said, will critique a dynamic programme of films ranging from documentaries to narrative features.
“The jurors will not only view the films but analyse them according to academic methodology. This will help the jurors express ideas and encourage critical thinking,” stressed Saleh, adding the films will provide the young jurors a wealth of knowledge on how filmmakers tell stories as well as what the youth around the world go through.
A diverse line-up of 70 films from 33 countries are featured at this year’s festival which will open on November 30 with the spectacular Mongolian adventure film The Eagle Huntress and conclude on December 5 with the animated film The Red Turtle.
Highlighting the theme of positive social change, the festival includes 24 features and 46 short narratives/documentaries on real and relevant issues that affect the youth globally. It features public and jury screenings, interactive panels and masterclasses, red carpets, exhibitions and family activities.
