QF's Doha Debates to spark conversations on global challenges through films

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) The Peninsula Doha: Qatar Foundation's Doha Debates and US-based Points North Institute are teaming up to launch Solutions Cinema - an initiative designed to foster public dialogue and explore potential solutions to global challenges, helping empower individuals and communities to shape their future. Solutions Cinema is a first-of-its-kind partnership between Doha Debates and Points North Institute, a nonfiction arts organization best known for producing the Camden International Film Festival as well as artist development initiatives that support nearly 60 projects annually.  Kicking off this month with a month-long series of free virtual film screenings and summit-style interactive discussions, Solutions Cinema will bring together a global community dedicated to story-driven social change.  'Doha Debates is delighted to partner with the Points North Institute to launch Solutions Cinema, said Amjad Atallah, Managing Director of Doha Debates.  'This initiative will be extraordinary, bringing together filmmakers, educators, and students for thoughtful dialogue and debate about how to better use the medium of film in the pursuit of solutions to some of humanity's most challenging issues.  The inaugural Solutions Cinema program will be presented in four parts and will include the screening of 12 feature and short documentary films. Selected films have been curated to encourage robust conversations, each highlighting people who are addressing injustice and inequity using the tools of community organizing, politics, education, media-making, and the law to fight for a better future.   Featured films will include two recent Sundance award-winning titles, Homeroom, by acclaimed director Peter Nicks, and Writing With Fire by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh.  The program also includes several short films recently produced by Doha Debates including Cherán: The Burning Hope by filmmakers Elpida Nikou and Rodrigo Hernández; The Water Queen by South African filmmaker Lungelo Mdlalose, and The Invisibles by Italian filmmakers Carola Mamberto and Diana Ferrero.  Interactive discussions will take place each Thursday this month from 7pm to 8.30pm, Doha time, starting April 8. These summits, which will be held on Zoom, will explore story-driven strategies for social change, including how filmmakers, film protagonists, and film audiences can each find agency to address inequity and injustice.  Each session will include noteworthy participants including lawyers, elected officials, academics, and activists. Students, educators, filmmakers, and film industry professionals will also be invited to contribute to the conversation.  These meetings will be hosted by award-winning filmmaker Marjan Safinia, director of the PBS series And She Could Be Next and former board chair at the International Documentary Association.  'Social impact documentaries have historically spent more time describing social problems than exploring people's responses to them, said Points North Program Director Sean Flynn. MENAFN07042021000063011010ID1101875211