Doha Film Festival 2026 Highlights Growth of Qatar's Film Industry

Doha Film Festival 2026, organised by Doha Film Institute from 19 to 27 November 2026, will present four feature films and an original series from Qatar as part of its Special Screenings programme, highlighting the growth of Qatar's film and audiovisual production industry.

The films are Jodari Meno by Jamal Al Khanji, A Very Ordinary Life by Mohamed Deniz and First to Fly by Rodrigo Vazquez Salessi, all supported by Media City Qatar, alongside the documentary When the News Breaks You by Hamad Al Hajri.

The festival will also screen a special episode of Elzam, an original documentary production from Katara Studios produced by Jassim Al Romaihi and Ahmed Al Baker.

Jodari Meno and When the News Breaks You received funding through Doha Film Institute's Grants Programme, while their filmmakers also participated in mentoring activities at Qumra 2025.

The selection reflects the growth of film production in Qatar and the development of cooperation among national institutions, creative talent and international partners to support the film industry and strengthen the international presence of Qatari productions.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of Doha Film Institute and Director of Doha Film Festival, said: "This participation marks an important milestone in the journey of Qatar's film and creative industries. Presenting four feature films and an original series from Qatar at the festival reflects the progress achieved by our creative ecosystem and confirms Qatar's growing role in empowering ambitious stories and supporting the talent behind them."

She added that the growing contributions of national institutions reflect what can be achieved when efforts are combined around a shared goal. She affirmed the Institute's commitment to strengthening cooperation with different institutions to build a sustainable industry by creating opportunities, developing capabilities and connecting Qatari talent with the world, helping cement Doha's position as a centre for creative and cultural excellence.

Hamad Omar AlMannai, CEO of Media City Qatar, said: "We are pleased that three films supported by Media City Qatar have been selected for the Special Screenings programme at Doha Film Festival 2026." He highlighted the platform the festival provides for filmmakers from Qatar and the region to bring their stories to audiences worldwide, as well as the opportunities created for growth in Qatar's and the region's media sector through cooperation with partners including Doha Film Institute.

Jodari Meno, directed by and starring Jamal Al Khanji, explores his quest to set a world record by catching a dogtooth tuna. What begins as an extraordinary pursuit becomes a personal journey examining obsession, mortality and the search for meaning. The film brings together productions from The Film House Originals, Alkhanji Enterprise, Doha Film Institute, Media City Qatar and Al Jazeera Documentary.

A Very Ordinary Life, directed by Mohamed Deniz, is a Qatar-Morocco production by Abdulrahim Al-Siddiqi and Bouchra Malek. It presents an exceptional artistic and human experience that brings cultures together and offers contemporary perspectives, giving audiences an opportunity to follow a story close to reality. The film offers a distinctive cinematic model combining creativity with artistic authenticity, presenting a vision that blends simplicity and depth while highlighting human and everyday details through a contemporary cinematic style.

First to Fly, directed by Rodrigo Vazquez Salessi, tells the story of two young gymnasts who became the first athletes in the history of Qatar and their respective countries to compete at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships. The film highlights the opportunities sport provides to girls and young women while following the two athletes' journeys in international competitions.

When the News Breaks You, a documentary by Hamad Al Hajri, examines the realities faced by journalists covering wars and conflict zones in the Middle East and the human and personal consequences of bringing news stories to audiences around the world. The film is a co-production between Qatar, Palestine, Greece, Lebanon and Turkiye.

The festival programme also includes a special episode of Elzam, an eight-part documentary series produced by Katara Studios. It follows a group of falconers on hunting expeditions, documenting a longstanding tradition that holds a prominent place in Qatar, the Gulf and the Arab world.

Source: QNA

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