Northwestern Qatar’s student-run film club, Studio 20Q, will celebrate the premiere of six new student and alumni films at its annual film premiere and red carpet gala on March 17, 2023.
Studio 20Q is a platform for students to experience filmmaking outside of production classes, providing them with funding and technical support to produce their own short narratives, documentaries, music videos, animation, and experimental films. Each year, the club hosts the premiere of the films funded by the club to celebrate the films and their student and alumni producers with the wider Northwestern Qatar and local film community.
This year’s premiere event will feature six narrative films addressing racism, gender, domestic abuse, and other pressing social issues in the Global South. Films premiering this year include Awal Yom ‘Aza by Jehad Al-Hallaq and Sahar Bou Hamdan; Maa Ki Beti by Khadija Ahmad and Mo’amen Ghanim; Inferiors by Awad Abdelrahman and Rahma El-Deeb; Maghrib by Maryam Al-Hail and Fatima Al-Mohannadi; Thobe El Eid by Afnan Tag and Fatima Dauleh; and The Chandelier by Karim Emara and Lojaina Gomaa.
More than 300 guests, including local and international filmmakers and industry leaders, will gather at this year’s event, which will be hosted on Northwestern Qatar’s campus. Together with Northwestern Qatar students, faculty, and staff, they will attend the film screenings and then join the directors, producers, and crew of this year’s films in an open reception, where student filmmakers will share their experiences with the attendees.
Studio 20Q is a platform for students to experience filmmaking outside of production classes, providing them with funding and technical support to produce their own short narratives, documentaries, music videos, animation, and experimental films. Each year, the club hosts the premiere of the films funded by the club to celebrate the films and their student and alumni producers with the wider Northwestern Qatar and local film community.
This year’s premiere event will feature six narrative films addressing racism, gender, domestic abuse, and other pressing social issues in the Global South. Films premiering this year include Awal Yom ‘Aza by Jehad Al-Hallaq and Sahar Bou Hamdan; Maa Ki Beti by Khadija Ahmad and Mo’amen Ghanim; Inferiors by Awad Abdelrahman and Rahma El-Deeb; Maghrib by Maryam Al-Hail and Fatima Al-Mohannadi; Thobe El Eid by Afnan Tag and Fatima Dauleh; and The Chandelier by Karim Emara and Lojaina Gomaa.
More than 300 guests, including local and international filmmakers and industry leaders, will gather at this year’s event, which will be hosted on Northwestern Qatar’s campus. Together with Northwestern Qatar students, faculty, and staff, they will attend the film screenings and then join the directors, producers, and crew of this year’s films in an open reception, where student filmmakers will share their experiences with the attendees.
“We are particularly pleased to have our community come together in celebration of the student talent and in recognition of the important work they do in telling the stories of the people and communities of the Global South”
- Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar
João Queiroga, assistant professor in residence and faculty advisor of Studio 20Q, said, “the premiere is one of the most anticipated events of the year at Northwestern Qatar as it brings to the limelight the effort and passion of our student filmmakers.” He added: “The films are quite diverse and reflect our international student body. Studio 20Q is one of the crown jewels of our program, and it is such a delight to celebrate our filmmakers in the first homecoming since spring 2019.”
“Studio 20Q has been a significant contributor to the growing film and cinema culture in Doha and the region, with many of its past members producing award-winning films and documentaries that have premiered globally,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “We are particularly pleased to have our community come together in celebration of the student talent and in recognition of the important work they do in telling the stories of the people and communities of the Global South.”
Studio 20Q is a vital part of the university’s vibrant student life and is one of many student-run organizations at Northwestern Qatar providing a platform for students to grow their skills in media and journalism. In addition to providing funding opportunities for students, it organizes workshops, training sessions, and networking events throughout the year.
“Studio 20Q has been a significant contributor to the growing film and cinema culture in Doha and the region, with many of its past members producing award-winning films and documentaries that have premiered globally,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “We are particularly pleased to have our community come together in celebration of the student talent and in recognition of the important work they do in telling the stories of the people and communities of the Global South.”
Studio 20Q is a vital part of the university’s vibrant student life and is one of many student-run organizations at Northwestern Qatar providing a platform for students to grow their skills in media and journalism. In addition to providing funding opportunities for students, it organizes workshops, training sessions, and networking events throughout the year.
