Doha Film Festival 2025 opened on Thursday evening with the screening of the opening film The Voice of Hind Rajab by award winning director Kaouther Ben Hania marking a strong beginning that reinforces the festivals growing stature on the international cinematic stage presented by Doha Film Institute.
During the opening ceremony Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Chairperson of Doha Film Institute honored acclaimed artists Jamal Soliman and Golshifteh Farahani with the DFF 2025 Creative Excellence Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the art of storytelling.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Chairman of Qatar Fund for Development Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammad bin Ali Al Thani President of the Arab Museum of Modern Art at Qatar Museums Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Hassan Al Thawadi Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and Saad Al Kharji Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairperson of Visit Qatar along with several other notable figures.
The red carpet event also welcomed members of the opening films creative team including director Kaouther Ben Hania producers Nadim Cheikhrouha and Odessa Rae actors Amer Hlehel Saja Kilani Motaz Malhees and Clara Khoury and Wissem Hamada mother of Hind Rajab in addition to representatives of the Palestine Red Crescent Society led by President Dr Younis Al Khatib and Director General Khaled Abu Ghoush as well as Nisreen Jiries Eid Qawas Rana H I Faqih Omar Ahmed Mohammed Alqam Mahdi M N Jamal Nibal Farsakh and Mohammad Ayyad whose stories were portrayed in the film.
Honouring Jamal Soliman with the DFF 2025 Creative Excellence Award.
A distinguished group of creative guests and global changemakers also attended including Jim Sheridan Mohammed Al Ibrahim Kamal Aljafari Elia Suleiman Yasmine Hamdan Brigitte Lacombe Rithy Panh Dhafer Labidine Dana Al Fardan Mehdi Hasan Elyanna Dana Al Meer Akira Yamaoka Dorra Zarouk Engin Altan Duzyatan Rahma Zein Ayca Aysin Turan and Jassim Al Nabhan among others.
In her opening remarks Fatma Hassan Alremaihi Festival Director and CEO of Doha Film Institute said This year marks a significant milestone for Doha Film Institute celebrating fifteen years of dedication to a vision that has become a reality today. The institute is not just a cultural entity shaping the global film industry it is a promise that every voice holds value and that art will always find a home in Qatar.
She added Doha Film Institute has built strong foundations for the golden age of Arab cinema writing an essential chapter in the shared human narrative where long term commitment meets sustainable impact. As Doha Film Festival begins we stand ready to continue building a global community united through dialogue understanding and a shared sense of purpose.
Abdullah al Muslim Head of Administration at Doha Film Institute and Deputy Director of Ajyal Film Festival affirmed that the festival features 79 inspiring films from 62 countries including 49 regional premieres across the Middle East and North Africa along with the return of Made in Qatar one of DFIs flagship programs presenting 10 short films that reflect local creativity and artistic expression.
He highlighted that the Ajyal Jury gathers more than 150 young jurors aged 16 to 15 and that the festival will also celebrate global filmmakers and present the world premiere of the Qatari film Saud Wainah in addition to diverse community and creative events across key Doha venues transforming the capital into a vibrant cultural hub throughout the festival days.
The opening film The Voice of Hind Rajab by award winning director Kaouther Ben Hania is a deeply moving work that stands as a powerful testament to human resilience. Selecting this film to open the festival reflects DFIs commitment to elevating voices that speak truth and inspire empathy.
Hind Rajabs mother delivered an emotional speech on the Drama Theatre stage at Katara saying that her message to the world is a call to save the children of Gaza adding that although she lost her daughter she has not lost her humanity and stands here today to ensure their voices reach the world.
Honouring Golshifteh Farahani with the DFF 2025 Creative Excellence Award.
With prizes totalling over USD $300,000, DFF features four main competition sections, special screenings, music performances, Geekdom and other community initiatives. The festival’s original theme song is composed by Qatar's celebrated contemporary composer and songwriter Dana al Fardan, in collaboration with Katara Studios and Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, capturing the rhythm, emotion, and heartbeat of Doha.
Supported by key partners including Katara, Film Committee at Media City Qatar and Visit Qatar. The festival will transform iconic locations across Doha, including Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Museum of Islamic Art, into vibrant hubs of cultural exchange, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from every corner of the globe, to reaffirm art's power.
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