In conversation with Qatar-based and award-wining filmmaker Shaima Al-Tamimi for her directorial debut “Don’t get too comfortable”
Shaima Al Tamimi’s work is inspired by social and cultural issues reflective of her own personal story. She was the 2020 Magnum Foundation fellow and a recipient of the Sheikh Saud Al Thani Award at Tasweer 2021. She also serves as a consultant to Youth of the World (YWT Org) developing their programs and strategy and is also a long-term contributing member to Everyday Middle East. Shaima’s short film “Don’t Get Too Comfortable”, was nominated for the Orrizonti Award, for Best Short film at Venice International Film Festival (La Biennale), 2021. After a successful projection at the M7 Sky Theater , Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech, TLN Qatar meets with the inspiring filmmaker and discuss this project came to life, and how it resonated with the audience.
Tell us a bit more about your journey with “Don’t get too comfortable”?
My journey with the film has been one that started with a lot of internal questions about our place in life and how we ended up living away. Growing up as an Afro Arab living in the Gulf, I always wondered why we were different in a place I called home. We spoke three languages and ate different cuisines from East Africa, Yemen and the Gulf, and while that only meant we had access to more cultures than most people, it somehow felt limiting to not be able to “fit in”. The dive into my family’s personal archive and history truly made me understand the difficult journeys my ancestors went through to secure a better future. If anything, I now appreciate and understand where come from which has helped me be at peace with a lot of matters, I used to be oblivious about our identity and sense of being.
What brought you into filmmaking?
It was a very organic process honestly; I am photographer by profession and was curious to expand the level of storytelling to a more interactive format which was how “Don’t Get Too Comfortable” was born.
How did the equation with Doha Film Institute came about?
I applied for a production grant with DFI (Doha Film Institute) and they have been very supportive of my journey so far, from being part of Qumra 2021 to participating in Ajyal Film Festival. DFI is like family to me.
Tell us a bit more about your festival experience with your film being awarded?
I am honoured those stories from Yemen are getting the recognition they deserve. To me, this was a personal story that also invited people to see themselves in. While migration is a universal story, I wanted to share the impact that generational trauma creates and find the space to process its impact on us.
How do you navigate the movie industry business-wise?
I’m still figuring out a lot of things as I make my way through it all, but I can definitely confirm that it costs to make a film. Through different programs and networks, I’ve been blessed to have received support from several organizations like DFI, Magnum Foundation, Women Photograph, so doing research and having your finger on the pulse within the industry is important.
What do you think of the film industry in Qatar and in the region?
Filmmaking in the region has grown immensely over the last decade, it’s a lot more exciting now as new talent keep coming to the foreground with fresh local stories to share with the world. There is much work to do and learn from, and with the right people and collaborators, our stories get stronger.
What is coming up next for Shaima Al Tamimi?
In addition to touring different festivals with my film over the next couple of months, I have a few art projects lined up that I am also working on simultaneously. It’s been an amazing journey and one that I’m truly grateful to have learned a lot from and share with my community.
Written by Narges Raiss