Home / Arts and Entertainment / Doha Film Festival Unveils Powerful Lineup Exploring Global Crises
Doha Film Festival Unveils Powerful Lineup Exploring Global Crises
14 Oct
Summary
- Doha Film Institute to host inaugural film festival in November 2025
- Competition features 13 world cinema titles on contemporary themes like war and climate
- Over $300,000 in prize money to be awarded across categories
The Doha Film Institute is set to host the inaugural edition of the Doha Film Festival from November 20 to 28, 2025. The festival's main competition, the International Feature Film Competition, will showcase 13 world cinema titles that tackle contemporary global themes.
The lineup includes Cannes Un Certain Regard Best Director winner "Once Upon a Time in Gaza," the Iraqi 2026 Oscar entry "The President's Cake," and "Cotton Queen" from Qatar-based director Suzannah Mirghani, which recently premiered in Venice. These powerful artistic expressions, said DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, "represent the creativity and resilience of humanity and demonstrate the capability of film to shape the future of our societies."
The International Feature Film Competition will award over $300,000 in prizes, with categories including Best Narrative ($75,000), Best Documentary ($50,000), Best Artistic Achievement ($45,000), and Best Performance ($15,000). A Special Mention certificate will also be presented.
