• World Premiere of latest Qatari feature Sa3oud Wainah at the festival marks key milestone in the nation’s creative journey
• Acclaimed actor Jamal Soliman to receive the 2025 Creative Excellence Award for his remarkable career

Doha-Qatar; 22 October 2025: Doha Film Festival (DFF), presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), announced its Special Screenings and Gala Presentations, remarkable works from across the world that honour cinema’s enduring ability to bridge cultures and inspire understanding.

The line-up shines a spotlight on stories that move, inspire, and connect us — including the world premiere of the much-anticipated Qatari feature Sa3oud Wainah by Mohamed Al-Ibrahim, underscoring the Institute’s continued commitment to supporting homegrown talent and showcasing the strength of Qatar’s creative voices on the global stage; Re-creation by legendary director and Qumra 2024 Master Jim Sheridan; a special invitation only screening of Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 that has captivated audiences globally; Andy-Mundy Castle’s Shoot the People following renowned photographer and global activist Misan Harriman and Yasser Ashour’s My Story about acclaimed actor Jamal Soliman who will receive Doha Film Festival’s Creative Excellence Award in recognition of his artistic journey and his enduring contribution to Arab storytelling.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of DFI, said: “Our Gala and Special Screenings express the festival’s spirit of cinematic discovery and dialogue. These films reflect the courage and creativity of storytellers who challenge us to see the world through bold new perspectives. They represent the diversity of human experience and the power of creative storytelling to bring people closer together. From works by international auteurs to inspiring local talent shaping Qatar’s film landscape, the programme underlines our belief in cinema’s universal power to unite and uplift.” 

Films in Special Screenings are:

• ‘My Story’ (Egypt/France/Syria) by Yasser Ashour is an intimate, cross-continental documentary that traces the journey of acclaimed Syrian actor and political figure Jamal Soliman. The film weaves together archival footage and present-day reflections, as Soliman moves through memories of exile, art, and activism. Jamal Soliman will be presented with the DFF 2025 Creative Excellence Award during the opening ceremony of the festival.
• ‘Palestine 36’ (Palestine/UK/France/Denmark/Norway/Qatar/KSA/Jordan) by Annemarie Jacir, presented as an invitation only screening, tells a story of individual actions against the roiling history of 1936 during the British Mandate for Palestine.

Films in Gala Presentations are:

• ‘Re-Creation’ (Ireland/Luxembourg) by Jim Sheridan & David Merriman is a fictionalised courtroom trial exploring the murder of French producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, questioning facts and debating the innocence of her convicted murderer, Ian Bailey.
• ‘Sa3oud Wainah’ (Qatar) by Mohammed Al-Ibrahim is a mystery thriller about a magic trick gone wrong between two brothers, Hamood and Sa3oud, where Sa3oud disappears but doesn't reappear. As a series of strange events unfold at their farmhouse, the film explores whether it's a prank or something more sinister.
• ‘Shoot The People’ (UK) by Andy-Mundy Castle follows acclaimed photographer Misan Harriman as he documents protest movements across the globe. But in a world more divided than ever, he is forced to question whether activism can actually deliver social change and if his own work can really make a difference.

Taking place from 20–28 November 2025, Doha Film Festival (DFF) represents the bold next chapter in Doha Film Institute's mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema.

The festival will transform iconic locations across Doha, including Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Museum of Islamic Art, into vibrant hubs of cultural exchange, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from every corner of the globe, to reaffirm art’s power to inspire, to unite, and to spotlight voices that deepen our shared understanding.

Designed to reflect the diversity and ambition of the region through a wide selection of films, inspiring conversations and engaging events, DFF will provide a truly meaningful shared cultural experience in Doha. For more information, visit www.dohafilm.com.