Name: Doha Film Festival debuts with bold vision for global cinema
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T14:46:53.691Z
Duration: 1 min 37 s
Description: 97 films from 62 countries are being spotlighting at the inaugural Doha Film Festival, which is bringing star power and bold new voices.

97 films from 62 countries are being spotlighting at the inaugural Doha Film Festival, which is bringing star power and bold new voices.

Doha

The first-ever Doha Film Festival has begun, showcasing 97 films from 62 countries in a significant move for cinematic diversity in the region. Nearly half of the selected films are directed by women, and 24 have received support from the Doha Film Institute, reflecting a strong commitment to promoting new voices in cinema.

The festival features notable guests such as directors Steven Soderbergh and Jim Sheridan, and actor Rami Youssef. The event opened with the Middle East premiere of 'The Voice of Hindra Jab,' a film based on the true story of a young Palestinian girl, which previously won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

Doha Film Festival debuts with bold vision for global cinema

The inaugural Doha Film Festival is officially underway. Over the next week, 97 films from 62 countries will be screened here, signaling a bold step for cinematic diversity in the region. Nearly half of the films are by female filmmakers, and 24 have been supported by the Doha Film Institute itself, underscoring its commitment to new voices. Majid Al-Ramehi is a Qatari filmmaker who also works as a film programmer with the festival. So myself, alongside the committee, we work together in terms of understanding, one, how the festival positions itself regionally, how the films that we select are both somehow reflecting a kind of moment in which the world is going through, as well as highlighting the most vibrant and urgent voices of cinema. There's also plenty of star power here, including award-winning directors Steven Soderbergh and Jim Sheridan, as well as actor Rami Youssef. Everyone who is attracted to us believes in what we do, and they've seen the identity and the genuine belief in cinema and the importance of culture and arts in people's life and how it can be a transformative tool for the societies. And these people who come and participate in the festival, they have the same mindset. The festival opens with the voice of Hindra Jab, a true story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car under Israeli fire. It won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize in Venice and is now making its Middle East premiere. Adel Halim, Euronews, Doha.

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