Lights, Camera, Doha
The Doha Film Festival is officially entering its main character era. The event, happening Nov. 19-27 in Qatar, just dropped its 15-title competition lineup, and the vibes are looking highkey inclusive. With a huge focus on Middle Eastern cinema and a massive spotlight on women behind the camera—seven of the films are directed by women—this festival is not playing around.
The Must-Watch List
Kicking things off is “The Station,” a drama by Yemeni-Scottish filmmaker Sara Ishaq that tackles the heavy reality of Yemen’s civil war. The selection also leans hard into powerful regional storytelling, featuring four Palestinian films. Keep an eye out for “Thirteen in Gaza” by Hosam Abu Dan and “Sama” by Rabab Khamis, the latter of which follows a 10-year-old girl in Gaza collecting recyclables for fuel.
Other heavy hitters include Moroccan director Tala Hadid’s “Bardi,” which dives into centuries-old equestrian traditions, and the gritty, rap-infused “My Semba” from Angola. The festival is also repping Asia with Thailand’s Oscar submission, “9 Temples to Heaven,” a story about a family trying to keep their grandmother alive by visiting nine temples in one day.
Why it matters
This isn't just another film fest; it’s a total rebrand. The Doha Film Institute has evolved its youth-focused Ajyal Film Festival into a full-blown international event. With a total of 11 of the 15 films receiving support from the Doha Film Institute, the goal is to amplify voices that usually go unheard. As DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said, cinema is here to connect us—and with top prizes ranging from $15k to $75k, these filmmakers are definitely coming for their W.
