Doha Film Festival continues to pulse with creative energy this week, transforming the Qatari capital into a vibrant crossroads of cinema, identity, and artistic reflection. From world premieres and youth-focused programs to musical showcases and community initiatives, the festival, running until November 28, has become the region’s most compelling platform for stories shaped by Arab voices.
At the heart of this year’s conversations stands Egyptian filmmaker Yasser Ashour, who brings an intimate and deeply human documentary titled My Story, a cinematic portrait of renowned Syrian actor Jamal Soliman. Speaking during a press briefing hosted by the Doha Film Institute, Ashour delivered a message: Arab stories must be told by Arabs.
“We rarely receive the chance to speak for ourselves,” he said. “Platforms like DFF allow filmmakers like me to express who we are, not how others interpret us.”
The Many Faces of Jamal Soliman
In My Story, Ashour opens a window into the world of Jamal Soliman—an actor whose screen presence shaped generations across the Arab world. Yet the film goes beyond career milestones. Ashour describes Soliman as “more than a star,” someone who can feel like a mentor, a brother, a seasoned artist, or even a young actor taking his first steps.
“People approach him as a friend before they approach him as a celebrated artist,” Ashour noted. The documentary captures these layers with tenderness and honesty, allowing viewers to explore the emotional landscapes that shaped Soliman’s life.
The film also chronicles Soliman’s 13-year absence from Syria, years marked by both artistic triumphs and personal heartbreak. Despite finding a home in Egypt—where audiences warmly embraced him—he carried the pain of losing both parents without being able to say goodbye. Earlier this year, he finally returned to Syria, a moment the film frames as a symbolic passage from a long winter to a hopeful spring.
Produced in partnership with Al Jazeera 360, the documentary blends memory, exile, and resilience, echoing the themes that define Soliman’s most unforgettable performances, from The Palestinian Exodus (al-Taghreba al-Falastenya) to The Four Seasons and Hadayeq Al-Shaytan.
A Festival That Gives Filmmakers Hope
Ashour’s gratitude to the festival reflects a wider sentiment shared by filmmakers in the region. Documentary filmmaking, he says, is rarely a path to financial gain—but platforms like DFF give creators a sense of continuity, purpose, and community.
“Watching the film here reminds me that the journey doesn’t have to be lonely,” he said. “We may continue making the films we believe in.”
He hopes to revisit the experience with a new documentary about another influential Arab figure, confident that there is a growing audience hungry for such intimate portraits.
Doha as a Living Cultural Canvas
Across the city, the festival’s footprint extends well beyond cinema halls. Iconic landmarks—Katara Cultural Village, and others have been transformed into bustling cultural spaces, each hosting screenings, discussions, and interactive events.
The festival’s rich programming highlights Qatar’s commitment to championing regional talent and authentic narratives. With strong partnerships from Katara, Qatar Media City | Film Commission, and Visit Qatar, DFF continues to cement its place as a cultural engine for the region.
Jamal Soliman’s recognition with the Creative Excellence Award during the opening ceremony underscored a central theme of this year’s edition: honouring the artists whose work transcends borders and speaks to the shared emotional and historical experiences of the Arab world.
Through My Story, audiences are reminded that behind every celebrated figure lies a mosaic of private struggles, personal triumphs, and untold memories waiting to be shared.
And at DFF 2025, these stories are not just watched; they are felt.
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