DFI Cinema

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DFI Cinema is presented in partnership with several organisations, including Katara, the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar Museums and Aspire Park. Programming includes contemporary independent cinema, filmmaker retrospectives, classic films and a regular presentation of works by Qatari and Gulf filmmakers.

Upcoming Screenings:

Contemporary Releases

Explore a compelling lineup of acclaimed new films from around the world in Contemporary Releases, a series presented by Doha Film Institute. Featuring festival standouts and bold new titles from DFI-supported filmmakers, the programme offers audiences a window into the stories shaping cinema today.

17 – 19 July 2025, 7 PM

Regretfully At Dawn

Directed by Sivaroj Kongsakul

Yong is an ex-soldier raising his granddaughter Xiang in a bucolic Thai village. When a worldly youn...

Past Screenings

‘Your Ghosts Are Mine’ Screenings

Director: Jessica Beshir

Date: 2 July 2025

Faya Dayi

'Faya Dayi' is a uniquely beautiful, award-winning documentary that explores the widespread use of khat in Ethiopia.

Director: Ali Cherri

Date: 3 July 2025

The Dam

World-renowned visual artist Ali Cherri's feature debut, 'The Dam', is an allegorical tale set in the shadows of the imposing Merowe Dam in Northern S...

Director: Riar Rizaldi

Date: 4 July 2025

Monisme

In the shadows of recent eruptions, several professional actors and non-actor professionals portray a dynamic of human-nature relationships in one of ...

Director / Screenwriter: Asmae El Moudir

Date: 15 June 2025

The Mother of All Lies

An evocative documentary offering a engrossing exploration of memory, history, and identity.

Director / Screenwriter: Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige

Date: 16 June 2025

The Lebanese Rocket Society

When filmmakers Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige inadvertently discovered that their native Lebanon launched the first rocket in the Middle East i...

Director / Screenwriter: Yaser Kassab

Date: 17 June 2025

Chasing the Dazzling Light

In a small town in central Sweden, Yaser embarks on a journey searching for inspiration to make a film that is related to his new place...

Directed by Faouzi Bensaïdi

Date: 26 May 2025

Déserts

Set in the vast, unforgiving landscapes of southern Morocco, ‘Déserts’ tells the tale of two petty criminals, Mehdi and Hamid, who traverse the desert...

Directed by Hassen Ferhani

Date: 27 May 2025

143 Sahara Street

Malika lives alone in the middle of the desert. There she runs a small restaurant serving two dishes, omelette or tomato omelette, to those who pass t...

Social Scenes: Contemporary Argentine & Chilean Cinema

As part of the Qatar-Argentina 2025 Year of Culture, Doha Film Institute invites audiences to experience the vibrant storytelling traditions of South America through a curated selection of bold and thought-provoking films.

This special series explores how contemporary filmmakers from Argentina and Chile are reshaping cultural narratives and reflecting on the social realities of their time. From quiet personal journeys to powerful political undercurrents, these films speak to themes of memory, identity, justice, and human resilience.

By bringing these stories to the screen, DFI honours the shared values of creativity, empathy, and cultural dialogue that define our Year of Culture. This cinematic journey offers audiences in Qatar an opportunity to connect with diverse perspectives from across Latin America—while deepening appreciation for the power of film to bridge worlds, ignite reflection, and spark meaningful exchange.

Special thanks to Violete Bava for her curatorial input.

Free – first come, first served