What is Cinema?

The 12th edition of QCinema International Film Festival (Nov. 8-17) has just concluded. For 7 days, I was able to watch 11 full-length films from various sections of the festival. Since 2013, QCinema has already become my yearly cinematic mecca, with me literally looking forward to the next edition the moment that the current edition comes to a close. I already start saving up for the upcoming festival - even if it's still months away! It's like I don't mind not being able to attend all the other film events in the country in a given year, as long as my attendance is guaranteed in QCinema. The festival boasts of a top-quality curation of international films (mostly acclaimed and award-winning films from festivals abroad) that otherwise aren't likely to have a regular theater run in the country. You missed a QCinema film and it's possible that you won't ever get to see it on the big screen anymore on a different occasion. More importantly, QCinema makes us appre...