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2026 Doha Film Festival programming

Overview

The Doha Film Institute has announced details for the second edition of the Doha Film Festival, scheduled for November 19–27, 2026, in Qatar. The festival will open with the MENA premiere of ‘The Station’ (Al Mahattah), a Yemeni-Scottish drama by Sara Ishaq set in war-torn Yemen. Following this announcement, the festival revealed its 15-film lineup for the International Feature Film Competition. This selection includes several works from the Arab world, specifically four Palestinian films: ‘Thirteen in Gaza’ by Hosam Abu Dan, ‘Conversation with the Sea’ by Muayad Alayan, the documentary ‘Sama’ by Rabab Khamis, and ‘Revolutionaries Never Die’ by Mohanad Yaqubi. The lineup also features international titles such as Cameroon’s ‘House of the Wind’. Further programming updates indicate the festival will showcase four Qatari feature films and an original series to highlight the development of the nation’s audiovisual industry. Special screenings include ‘Tuna Teeth’ directed by Jamal Al-Khani, ‘A Very Ordinary Life’ by Mohammed Deniz, ‘The First in Flight’ by Rodrigo Vazquez Salisi, and ‘When the News Breaks You’ by Hamad Al-Hajri. The festival will also feature a special episode of the series ‘Ilzam’, an original production from Katara Studios by Jassim Al-Rumaihi and Ahmed Al-Baker. Fatma Hassan Al-Rumaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute and Director of the festival, stated that these projects reflect the “evolution of the nation's creative ecosystem.” The festival will also feature an International Short Film Competition with 22 films, including two world premieres and 19 Middle East and North Africa premieres. Notable entries include ‘Competitors’ by Federico Luis—the 2026 Cannes Palme d'Or winner for short film—and ‘Moments of Happiness’ by Shaden Safi al-Din Tazi. The competition offers prizes such as $20,000 for Best Short Film and $12,000 for Best Director.

Entities

Doha Film Festival · Doha Film Institute · Qatar Media City · Fatma Hassan Al-Rumaihi · Fatima Al-Rumaihi

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Doha Film Festival announces 2026 lineup and short film competition

    The Doha Film Festival 2026 has announced its lineup, featuring 22 short films in competition and a diverse program of international documentaries and dramas running from November 19 to 27.

  2. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Doha Film Festival 2026 to showcase Qatari films and series

    The Doha Film Festival 2026 will feature four Qatari feature films and an original series, highlighting the growth of Qatar’s local film industry and creative ecosystem.

  3. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Doha Film Festival announces 2026 international competition lineup

    The Doha Film Festival has unveiled its 15-film international competition lineup for its second edition in November 2026, featuring several Palestinian works and global cinema.

  4. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Doha Film Festival to open with Yemeni drama ‘The Station’

    The Doha Film Festival 2026 will open with the MENA premiere of ‘The Station’, a Yemeni drama by filmmaker Sara Ishaq set in a women-only petrol station.

Sources

alalam.ma · alaraby.co.uk · almanara.media · deadline.com · english.alsiasi.com · moviemag.it · rommanmag.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history