The Doha Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), has officially announced its Special and Showcase Screenings for this year, featuring a remarkable selection of films from across the globe. The program celebrates the power of cinema to build bridges between cultures and foster deeper human understanding through storytelling.
Among the highlights is the world premiere of the highly anticipated Qatari film “Saud Wainah” by director Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, reaffirming DFI’s ongoing commitment to nurturing local talent and amplifying Qatari creative voices on the international stage.
The lineup also includes “Recreation” by legendary filmmaker and Qumra 2024 expert Jim Sheridan, an exclusive invitational screening of “Palestine 36” by acclaimed director Annemarie Jacir, “Portraits of People” by Andy Mundy-Castle, following world-renowned photographer and activist Misan Harriman, and “My Story” by Yasser Ashour, a touching documentary on veteran Syrian actor Jamal Soliman, who will be honored with the Doha Film Festival Award for Artistic Excellence for his outstanding contributions to Arab storytelling and cinema.
In her statement, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, said:
“Our Special and Showcase screenings reflect the spirit of the festival — exploring cinema as a means of dialogue and discovery. These films embody the courage and creativity of filmmakers who challenge us to see the world through new perspectives. They represent the richness of human experience and the power of storytelling to connect people. With both international and local filmmakers represented, this year’s program highlights Qatar’s dynamic and evolving cinematic landscape and reaffirms our belief in cinema’s universal ability to inspire and unite communities.”
Featured Films in the Special Screenings Section
My Story (Egypt/France/Syria) — Directed by Yasser Ashour, this cross-continental documentary traces the life and political journey of celebrated actor Jamal Soliman, weaving archival footage with contemporary reflections as he navigates exile, art, and activism. Soliman will be honored during the festival’s opening ceremony with the Artistic Excellence Award 2025.
Palestine 36 (Palestine/UK/France/Denmark/Norway/Qatar/Saudi Arabia/Jordan) — Directed by Annemarie Jacir, this exclusive screening tells a story of individual acts of resistance during the turbulent events of 1936 under British Mandate Palestine, capturing moments of courage and humanity amid struggle.
Films in the Showcase Program
Recreation (Ireland/Luxembourg) — Directed by Jim Sheridan and David Merriman, this dramatic courtroom fiction revisits the real-life murder of French producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, delving into questions of truth, justice, and the presumption of innocence surrounding Ian Bailey.
Saud Wainah (Qatar) — Directed by Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, a gripping mystery thriller about two brothers whose playful illusion turns tragic when one of them vanishes without a trace. The story unfolds in an atmosphere of suspense, questioning whether it was all a joke — or something far darker.
Portraits of People (United Kingdom) — Directed by Andy Mundy-Castle, this thought-provoking documentary follows activist-photographer Misan Harriman as he documents protest movements worldwide. The film asks whether the struggle for change and the act of witnessing can still transform a deeply divided world.
Running from November 20 to 28, 2025, the Doha Film Festival marks another milestone in the Doha Film Institute’s mission to champion regional talent and celebrate authentic, timely, and transformative stories from around the world.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
