(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The second annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), will open on December 1 with the world premiere of Speed Sisters by Amber Fares, a documentary about the Middle East's first all-woman motor racing team.
Speed Sisters takes viewers inside the West Bank's streetcar motor racing scene, following up a group of young Palestinian women. The debut feature by Lebanese-Canadian director takes an intimate look at the lives of its five subjects and what motivates them to compete as they challenge social expectations, community politics and family dynamics while facing restrictions of movement by the Israeli military occupation.
The film was developed with the support of Sundance Institute and DFI's grants programme, along with international funds.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director and Acting CEO, DFI, said: "We are thrilled to present the world premiere of Speed Sisters in Doha at the opening night of the festival. It is a film that took us by surprise € a first feature by a new director that depicts a different aspect of life in Palestine from what we are accustomed to seeing on screen.
"Speed Sisters captures the passion and determination these young women have for their sport, as well as the great sense of personal freedom, camaraderie and positivity that motor racing brings to their lives.
"Our festival is dedicated to bringing generations together through cinema, and Speed Sisters is a wonderful example of a film that explores some of the questions and challenges faced by young people in our region - about notions of tradition and modernity."
Fares will attended the opening along with a delegation of the film's cast and crew.
Fares said: "We have spent five years in Palestine bringing this story to the screen and I am excited that Doha will mark the start of our festival journey. Speed Sisters is a story about five fiercely determined women and their drive to break through the obstacles in their lives to stay true to themselves and their dreams.
"We felt it was a perfect fit to launch our film at this youth-oriented event in the Middle East to celebrate the energy, hopes and creativity of young people in the region. We are honoured to be opening the second edition of the festival."
The closing night gala will feature the Middle East premiere of Prophet, the animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran's beloved book which made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.
Produced by Salma Hayek and made with support from DFI's co-financing programme, the film features the work of nine renowned animators, each depicting a chapter from the book. The full festival programme will be announced early next month and tickets will go on sale on November 18.
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