In this enlightening episode of the Ajyal Show, we meet Fatima Dauleh, whose path reveals the many ways narratives can teach us, whether on-screen or in the classroom.

At 18, Fatima joined Ajyal Film Festival as a juror, an experience that opened her eyes to the richness of film discussions and the impact of shared storytelling. Later, while studying at university, she received two Doha Film Institute grants and stepped into producing, gaining hands-on experience in the realities of filmmaking.

Today, Fatima’s creativity extends beyond film sets into classrooms, where she uses cinema as a teaching tool. In her English lessons, films become gateways to critical thinking, empathy, and curiosity. Her classroom approach invites students to watch a film first, then reflect through writing or discussion, building both confidence and inventiveness.

For Fatima, film and teaching are parallel practices, each strengthening the other. Her students learn that creativity thrives not in flawless results, but in the courage to experiment. She sees imagination as essential to literacy and critical thinking, giving young people the confidence to express themselves authentically.

Fatima’s work shows us how cinema can be more than entertainment: it can be a method of learning, a mirror for identity, and a guide for creative exploration in every part of life.

To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s creative community, visit our website here.