In this climactic season finale of The Ajyal Show 2024, we sit down with Justin Kramer, an American filmmaker and artist, to explore his transformative journey in Qatar’s film industry. Justin shares his journey from New York, where he began his career, to the Tribeca Film Festival and his eventual move to Doha to establish The Film House. He discusses how The Film House has become a cornerstone of Qatar’s creative community—producing films and commercials while supporting and mentoring local talent since its inception.
Justin emphasises the importance of giving back to the community, drawing on the connections and opportunities he’s gained while working in Qatar. He shares insights into the value of collaboration, describing the strong team dynamics at The Film House and how creative partnerships drive innovation and storytelling. As someone who has recently returned to personal filmmaking, Justin speaks about balancing passion projects with commercial work. He explains that while commercial projects ensure sustainability, personal creative work is vital for contributing to the growth of the industry and his own artistic fulfilment.
Resilience, Justin believes, is essential to navigating challenges in filmmaking. He urges aspiring filmmakers to stay persistent and take their first steps, no matter how daunting the journey may seem. With a hopeful outlook, he expresses his belief that storytelling can inspire compassion and help build a brighter future for communities around the world.
To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s filmmaking community, visit our website here.