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Awards

Awards

DFF Awards 2025

Winners across all competitions are honoured through the Doha Film Festival Awards Fund in recognition of excellence in cinematic storytelling and craft.

International Feature Film Competition

Judged by a jury of five esteemed figures from the world of cinema, this competition honours outstanding achievements in feature-length storytelling.
Head of the Jury: Rithy Panh
Jury Members: Raja Amari, Brigitte Lacombe, Dhafer L’Abidine, Alessandra Speciale

  • Best Narrative Award: ‘Sleepless City’ by Guillermo Galoe
  • Best Documentary Award: ‘My Father and Qaddafi’ by Jihan
  • Best Artistic Achievement Award: Kamal Aljafari for ‘With Hasan in Gaza’
  • Best Artistic Achievement Award: Chie Hayakawa for ‘Renoir’
  • Best Performance Award: Majd Eid from ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’
  • Best Performance Award: Nader Abd Alhay from ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’
  • Special Mention: The Reserve by Pablo Pérez Lombardini

International Short Film Competition

A jury of three respected film professionals recognises excellence in short-form filmmaking.
Head of the Jury: Eddie Bertozzi
Jury Members: Faris Alrjoob, Zoljargal Purevdash

  • Best Film Award: ‘Samba Infinito’ by Leonardo Martinelli
  • Best Director Award: Aria Sánchez & Marina Meira for ‘Primary Education’
  • Best Performance Award: Milica Janevski from ‘Upon Sunrise’
  • Special Mention: ‘L'Mina’ by Randa Maroufi
  • Special Mention: Ammar Ahmed from ‘Zizou’

Made in Qatar Film Competition

Evaluated by a jury of three film industry professionals, this section celebrates creative work by filmmakers based in Qatar.
Head of the Jury: Afef Ben Mahmoud
Jury Members: Alaa Alasad, Fahad Ahmed Al-Kuwari

  • Best Film Award: ‘Fahad the Furious’ by Justin Kramer
  • Best Director Award: Eiman Mirghani for ‘Villa 187’
  • Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance: Rashid Al Sheeb from ‘Fahad the Furious’
  • Special Mention: ‘Project Aisha’ by Fahad Al-Nahdi

Ajyal Film Competition:

Judged by the Ajyal Jury—young cinema enthusiasts aged 16 to 25—this competition recognises films that resonate with younger audiences.

  • Best Feature Film Award: ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ by Kaouther Ben Hania
  • Best Short Film Award: ‘Sulaimani’ by Vinnie Ann Bose

Audience Award

Our Audience Award is open to feature films selected for the International Feature Film Competition, Ajyal Film Competition, and Gala Screenings.

  • Winner: ‘Cotton Queen’ by Suzannah Mirghani