The festival will feature four world premieres and 49 Middle East and North Africa premieres, with a lineup that includes 24 films supported by DFI and 48 titles directed by women filmmakers.
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the full programme for the 2025 Doha Film Festival (DFF), which will bring 97 films from 62 countries to iconic venues across the Qatari capital from November 20 to 28. Alongside a schedule of screenings, the festival will host music performances, creative workshops, community events and Geekdom activities, transforming Doha into a vibrant cultural destination. More than $300,000 in prizes will be awarded across four competition sections, complemented by special screenings and an extensive cultural lineup. This year’s festival also features an original theme song composed by celebrated Qatari musician Dana Al Fardan in collaboration with Katara Studios and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
At a press conference, DFI unveiled a programme shaped by daring storytelling and a strong focus on elevating underrepresented cinematic voices.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of DFI said: “At the heart of Doha Film Festival is connection, from spontaneous conversations to the emotions we share, and the ways cinema reminds us of our humanity. For the past 15 years DFI has taken great pride in the extraordinary accomplishments of the filmmakers whose journeys we have shared so far. This year’s Doha Film Festival reflects Qatar’s growing creative ambitions and our deep belief in the power of cinema to unite and inspire. With 97 films from 62 countries, the programme amplifies voices that too often go unheard, offering audiences new perspectives and shared human experiences.”
She added: “This year also marks a milestone in Qatar’s broader cultural journey. Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring 50 years of our first national museum, is a powerful reminder of our creative progress. From preserving our heritage to reimagining our future, our nation continues to lead as a beacon of cultural expression and artistic innovation, where creativity thrives, and our stories are shared with the world.”
The festival will open with The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, a project supported by DFI’s grants programme. The film sets an impactful tone for the festival, highlighting the role of cinema in confronting injustice and amplifying truth.
In the International Feature Film Competition, 13 films—12 of which will have their Middle East and North Africa premieres—will vie for top honours. Titles include The Presidents Cake, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, Khartoum and Divine Comedy.
DFI Programmer and filmmaker Majid Al Remaihi noted: “The Competition brings together bold films from the Arab world and beyond, from stories that dare to imagine and question to ones that mirror realities far and near— cementing our commitment to amplifying the most promising cinematic voices in the world today.”
The International Short Film Competition features 20 titles chosen from a record 1,600 submissions, with 19 premiering in the MENA region. The selection includes Palme D’or winner I’m Glad You’re Dead Now, Beneath Which Rivers Flow, L’mina and Samba Infinito.
Aya Al-Blouchi, Film Programmer at DFI, stated: “The programme unites filmmakers from across the globe in the language of film who are skillfully expressing the immediacy and imagination of their ideas.”
Ajyal Film Competition continues the legacy of Ajyal by empowering a youth jury to select winners for Best Feature Film and Best Short Film categories from a programme of five feature films and 11 short films.
Rawda Al-Thani, DFI Film Programmer and director, commented: “Ajyal Film Competition is where DFI’s mission truly comes to life – encouraging youth between the ages of 16-25 to think, feel, and act through cinema. It places young audiences at the forefront and reminds us of their boundless potential to shape the world and their future.”
DFF 2025 will also welcome an impressive roster of special guests, including Steven Soderbergh, Ramy Youssef, Michaela Coel, Engin Altan Duzyatan, Hazal Kaya, Jassim Al Nabhan, Dorra Zarrouk, Saleh Bakri and Hiam Abbas.
Special screenings will highlight creativity and artistic courage. The lineup includes Jim Sheridan’s Re-Creation, Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, Shoot the People by Andy-Mundy Castle, My Story by Yasser Ashour, a private screening of Palestine 36 by Annemarie Jacir and the world premiere of the Qatari feature Sa3oud Wainah by Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, produced by Katara Studios.
The Made in Qatar programme will showcase 10 short films that celebrate the country’s homegrown talent. The jury is led by Afef Ben Mahmoud, alongside Fahad Al-Kuwari and Alaa Alasad, and highlights the authenticity and innovation emerging from Qatar’s expanding film landscape.
Family audiences will enjoy open-air screenings at Cinema Under the Stars at the Museum of Islamic Art and Cinema by the Sea in West Bay. The Inclusive Screening of Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb, organised with Hamad bin Khalifa University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, ensures accessibility for audiences of all abilities.
A special cultural segment will honour the Qatar–Argentina–Chile 2025 Year of Culture with a selection of short films celebrating artistic exchange across continents.
DFF will also host a dynamic music programme titled DFF Music, featuring performances and discussions under the strands Roots, Headliners and Scoring. Featured artists include Saint Levant, Yasiin Bey, Elyanna, Gustavo Santaolalla, Zeyne, Nooriyah, Nemahsis, Aisha Al Zaiani and Dana Al Meer.
The festival’s Talks programme will spotlight influential voices such as journalist Mehdi Hassan, activists Rahma Zein and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, artists Yasiin Bey and Dana Al Fardan, as well as industry experts Sylvia Zakhary and Ahmed Al Baker.
Geekdom, returning for its 12th edition from November 18 to 22, will offer e-sports tournaments, gaming challenges, screenings, performances and panels. Founder Abdulla Al Mosallam said Geekdom has evolved into a thriving creative movement where imagination has no limits.
Key festival partners include Katara, Media City Qatar I Film Committee and Visit Qatar. Events will be held at Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Lusail Boulevard and the Museum of Islamic Art, bringing the city together in a celebration of global cinema and cultural storytelling.
