The Doha Film Institute’s inaugural Doha Film Festival (DFF) will run from November 20-28 this year, with over $300,000 of prize money on offer across four competition strands.
Announced today (May 17) in Cannes, the festival’s four competitive strands will be: International Feature Film Competition, showcasing new works by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world; International Shot Film Competition; Ajyal Film Competition, judged by the festival’s youth jury; and the Made in Qatar Competition, for filmmakers based in Qatar.
The festival will also feature industry sessions, community screenings with a dedicated youth programme, and additional film events.
DFF will take place at locations across Doha including Katara Cultural Village for red carpet events and premieres; Msheireb Downton for industry sessions and special events; and the Museum of Islamic Art for short film screenings.
First announced in November last year, DFF will retain elements of the youth-focused Ajyal, adding new dimensions aiming at cultural exchange and dialogue for the global film community.
A five-person jury for the international competition will select winners including best narrative ($75,000 prize), best documentary ($50,000), best artistic achievement ($45,000) and best performance ($15,000), plus a special mention.
The Made in Qatar Competition will present best short ($15,000), best director ($10,000) and best performance ($5,000) prizes.
The festival will also present an Audience Award. The complete festival programme will be announced in the coming months.
“Doha Film Festival is not only a celebration of cinema, but a platform for purpose-driven storytelling amplifying important voices that are redefining the global film landscape with depth, nuance, and truth,” said Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, DFI CEO.
“It is the next chapter in our continued mission to nurture independent filmmakers, inspire new perspectives and foster cultural dialogue through cinema. The festival will offer a vibrant meeting point for film lovers, a stage for powerful stories and a launchpad for a new generation of cinematic talent. DFF is an expansion of the strong foundation we built with Ajyal Film Festival as a unique platform for self-expression and creative empowerment, and we look forward to guests celebrating the unifying power of film with us in Doha this November.”
The DFI will continue to run its yearly Qumra development event in spring. This year is the 15th anniversary of the Doha Film Institute, first announced in Cannes by DFI chair Sheikha Al Mayassa.
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