Doha, Qatar; October 06, 2025: Doha Film Institute has announced a special showcase of Sudanese culture at Doha Film Festival (DFF), highlighting the creativity and rich heritage of a nation whose stories continue to inspire the world.
Featuring a compelling selection of films and a musical celebration titled 'Sounds of Sudan' the showcase will shine a spotlight on Sudanese voices and experiences, offering audiences a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s cinematic and musical artistry.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: "The strong presence of Sudanese film and music at DFF 2025 underlines our commitment to bringing important narratives and amplifying crucial voices from the Global South. While the powerful films open a window to the vibrant and complex stories of Sudan, the music celebrates the resilience and creativity of its people. By including these diverse artistic expressions in the festival, we are creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange that transcends geographies and challenges prevailing narratives."
The selected films reflect the courage of Sudanese filmmakers who have captured both the struggles and the indomitable spirit of their people, while Sudanese musicians will bring the rhythms and sounds of their land to life on stage.
Screening in the International Feature Film Competition programme are, Khartoum (Sudan/UK/Germany/Qatar) brings together filmmakers, Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed and Philip Cox, to document the survival and quest for freedom through the dreams of five Khartoum residents displaced by the war, and Cotton Queen (Sudan/Germany/France/Palestine/Egypt/Qatar) by homegrown talent Suzannah Mirghani, which follows teenage Nafisa who becomes the centre of a power struggle over genetically modified seeds to determine the future of her village, blending ecological critique with coming-of-age drama.
Complementing the film screenings, 'Sounds of Sudan' will feature performances by an exceptional lineup of artists including rapper Oddisee, soul artist Gaidaa, multi-instrumentalist artist Sammany Hajo and DJ Nedz, representing the diverse range of contemporary Sudanese music.
Oddisee (born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa) is known for his sharp lyricism, soulful production, and socially conscious perspective. Blending boom-bap foundations with live instrumentation, jazz, funk, and soul, he has carved a distinctive space in hip-hop. Gaidaa is a Sudanese-Dutch singer, songwriter, and artist known for her warm, soul-infused sound and emotionally rich storytelling. Sammany Hajo, based in Qatar, remixes traditional songs with contemporary genres like Soul, Funk and Hip Hop, and DJ NEDZ is a self-taught, multi-genre DJ and creator with a distinctive style that reflects her Egyptian roots and global journey.
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.