DFF 2026 honours Qatar’s filmmaking talent in Made in Qatar Competition

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

The Doha Film Festival 2026 will showcase eight films in its Made in Qatar Competition, highlighting diverse local stories that explore personal, cultural, and imaginative themes. A jury of regional filmmakers and actors will evaluate the entries, emphasizing the festival’s commitment to promoting Qatari talent and expanding the country’s presence in global cinema.

The Doha Film Festival (DFF) 2026 will feature the Made in Qatar Competition, highlighting the creativity and ambition of Qatar’s local filmmaking community. The event will present eight films that delve into themes such as personal experiences, family dynamics, cultural memory, and the imaginative potential of cinema.

The selected works represent a wide spectrum of genres and storytelling approaches, illustrating the growing diversity among Qatari filmmakers. The films range from intimate portrayals of human relationships to supernatural and fantastical narratives, underscoring the expanding variety of voices shaping Qatar’s screen industry.

A distinguished jury will evaluate the competition entries. The panel comprises Qatari filmmaker Al Johara al-Thani, Lebanese actress and filmmaker Yumna Marwan, and Palestinian Belgian filmmaker and producer Nael Khleifi. Their combined expertise in acting, directing, and production aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the craftsmanship exhibited in this year’s homegrown cinema showcase.

Fatma Hassan Almeraifi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute and Festival Director of DFF, emphasized the festival’s role in nurturing local talent. She stated that filmmaking in Qatar is focused on creating opportunities for storytellers to realize their visions, each offering a unique voice and contributing to the country’s cultural landscape. Through the Made in Qatar Competition, the festival is committed to promoting bold and original narratives while connecting Qatari filmmakers with both regional and international audiences.

The films competing in the 2026 Made in Qatar Competition include: "Abu Fanoos" by Amira Abujbara and Horia El Hadad; "After the Rain" by Khlood al-Ali; "Constant" by Maysaa Al-mumin; "Crawling Into Myself" by Hamad al-Fayhani; "Ghafleh" by Tony El Ghazal; "In the Silence After" by Sebastian Delascasas; "Kantqtaqa" by Yazid Taki; and "Light to Ashes" by Nadia AlKhater. This selection reflects the festival’s dedication to showcasing a range of cinematic voices and further advancing Qatar’s film industry.

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