The Doha Film Festival opened Thursday in Qatar, marking its first-ever edition and featuring a range of global premieres, including the Middle East debut of Kaouther Ben Hania’s politically charged drama, The Voice of Hind Rajab. The festival also hosts the regional premiere of Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy, The Christophers, with both Soderbergh and star Michaela Coel in attendance, further raising the festival’s global profile. The presence of renowned figures like Steven Soderbergh at the Doha Film Festival underscores its ambitions to establish itself on the international filmmaking stage, aligning with Qatar’s goal to boost its standing in the creative industries.
Celebrating Diversity in Cinema and Notable Guests
Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek, recognized for his groundbreaking win as the first actor of Egyptian descent to receive an Academy Award for Bohemian Rhapsody, joins an impressive guest list in Qatar. Alongside Soderbergh and Coel, the festival is attracting figures such as Turkish television actors Engin Altan Duzyatan of Resurrection: Ertuğrul and Hazal Kaya of Midnight at the Pera Palace, Tunisian-Egyptian versatile performer Dorra Zarrouk, and Palestinian stars Saleh Bakri and Hiam Abbass. Their presence cements the festival’s appeal among both regional and international audiences, fulfilling its aim to connect cultures through film.
Political Narratives Take Center Stage
Opening the festival, Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab explores the poignant true story of a young Palestinian girl caught in a tragic crossfire in Gaza, with the film launching in a region where Qatar itself has played a significant role as a mediator in cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas. Highlighting the emotional intensity, Ben Hania remarked,
“I’m very happy that the movie is launching from Doha, who wanted the [regional] premiere,”
Ben Hania, Director. She acknowledged Doha organizers’ willingness to accommodate earlier screenings elsewhere, reflecting the spirit of cooperation that underpins the festival.
The screening also marks an evolution in the film’s journey, as The Voice of Hind Rajab first premiered at the Gaza International Festival for Women’s Cinema in Deir Al-Balah, but its true entrance to the Arab world’s cultural stage now occurs at Doha.
Showcasing Palestinian Stories and Global Issues
The festival features a robust selection of films with a focus on Palestinian narratives and broader regional topics. In competition is Once Upon a Time in Gaza, helmed by the Palestinian director duo Tarzan and Arab Nasser, which previously debuted in Cannes. Also in the lineup is Kamal Aljafari’s documentary With Hasan in Gaza. These films highlight ongoing challenges and personal stories emerging from conflict zones, inviting festivalgoers to engage with urgent social issues.
Competing Films Reflect Cultural and Artistic Range
Among the highlights in the festival’s competition are Hasan Hadi’s The President’s Cake, depicting a schoolgirl tasked with baking a cake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday and now representing Iraq at the Oscars; Khartoum, a Sundance-launched documentary chronicling the experiences of five residents fleeing violence in Sudan; and Divine Comedy by Iranian filmmaker Ali Asgari, a dark comedy delving into the intricacies of film censorship in Iran. These selections showcase the festival’s commitment to diverse topics, from political history to creative self-expression and the resilience of ordinary people.
Major Screenings and Noteworthy World Premieres
The Doha festival’s special screenings add further prestige, with Soderbergh’s The Christophers among the featured films. The program includes Jim Sheridan’s courtroom drama Re-Creation, Andy Mundy-Castle’s documentary Shoot the People about Nigerian photographer and activist Misan Harriman, and Yasser Ashour’s My Story, focusing on the life of Syrian actor and activist Jamal Soliman, who will be recognized during the festival’s opening ceremony. Qatari cinema receives the spotlight as well, with the world premiere of the thriller Sa3oud Wainah by Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, a project from Katara Studios, reflecting the nation’s growing aspirations in film production.
Festival Structure and International Competitions
The revitalized Doha Film Festival, organized by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), builds upon the platform of the former Ajyal Film Festival by expanding its reach and ambition. DFI has reinvented the event to cater to a broader audience, introducing four distinct competition categories: an international feature film competition, a short film competition, the Ajyal competition judged by a youth jury, and a Made in Qatar competition reserved for projects made within the country. This structure is designed to encourage fresh perspectives in cinema and support filmmakers from both within Qatar and abroad.
Significant Prize Money and Regional Positioning
The festival boasts a prize fund exceeding $300,000, placing it among the most lucrative film celebrations in the region and matching the monetary scale of established festivals like Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. The timing of the Doha event, running from November 20–28, positions it within a particularly active period for Arab film festivals, overlapping with prominent festivals in Cairo, Marrakech, and Jeddah, thereby enhancing regional cinematic exchange.
Qatar’s Growing Cultural Influence and Industry Initiatives
Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economy away from energy are evident in its investments in arts and media, seen in the evolution of the DFI and national initiatives like the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the broadcaster Al Jazeera. Over time, the DFI has secured a central role in nurturing the film sector across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Commenting on this vision, Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi said,
“As Qatar’s cultural presence expands and the regional film landscape matures, we saw an opportunity to elevate our festival offering. Doha Film Festival (DFF) builds on Ajyal’s success but introduces broader industry engagement, global programming and new pathways for cultural exchange,”
Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi, DFI CEO.
While the Doha Film Festival does not include a formal market section, the DFI’s pioneering Qumra event acts as an incubator and co-production platform, supporting early-stage works from Arab filmmakers. This long-running program, now in its eleventh edition, has attracted noted industry mentors such as Johnnie To, Walter Salles, and Darius Khondji, further consolidating Qatar’s support for cinematic talent.
Furthermore, the festival includes an industry program facilitated by the Qatar Film Committee, part of Media City Qatar’s hub for entertainment sector growth. Panels led by media figures like former MSNBC broadcaster Mehdi Hassan, Zeteo founder; Rahma Zein, Egyptian journalist and Palestinian rights activist; and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Emmy-nominated Vice and HBO correspondent, will contribute to the discussion on film, journalism, and cultural storytelling.
Future Outlook: Festival’s Potential and Regional Impact
The launch of the Doha Film Festival signals Qatar’s rising prominence as a cultural and cinematic hub in the Arab world. By attracting internationally acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and industry leaders, and providing a platform for both regional and global stories, the festival is poised to shape the region’s artistic conversation. The engagement of personalities like Steven Soderbergh at the Doha Film Festival—alongside a diverse range of premieres, competitions, and thought-provoking discussions—reflects the nation’s aspirations to expand its soft power through arts and culture and to open new doors for creative collaboration and social dialogue in the years ahead.
