The Doha Film Festival has announced its International Short Film Competition lineup, featuring 20 films from emerging filmmakers worldwide. The selection showcases diverse voices and stories, with films competing for cash prizes totaling $39,000. The festival is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28, 2025, at various locations in Doha, including Katara Cultural Village and the Museum of Islamic Art.
According to Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, the record number of over 1,600 submissions reflects the festival’s strength as a platform for global talent. The selected films demonstrate bold storytelling, innovative formats, and important perspectives, highlighting the institute’s commitment to recognizing fresh and promising new talent.
International Short Film Competition
The 20 selected films showcase a range of themes and styles, from tales of persecution and belonging to explorations of the human spirit. The films are from countries such as Lebanon, Portugal, Morocco, India, Brazil, and Greenland, demonstrating the festival’s global reach. The competition is judged by a three-member jury led by industry professional Eddie Bertozzi, with filmmakers Faris Alrjoob and Zoljargal Purevdash.
The films in the competition include “Adieu Ugarit” from Canada, “All This Death” from Lebanon/Germany/Poland/Qatar, and “The Thief” from Greenland/Denmark. Other notable films include “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now,” which won the Palme d’Or, and “Zizou” from Egypt/Qatar/France. These films will be competing for the Best Film, Best Director, and Best Performance awards.
Promoting Emerging Talent
The Doha Film Festival is part of the Doha Film Institute’s mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema. The festival aims to bring together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from around the world to celebrate the power of art to inspire and unite. By providing a platform for emerging filmmakers, the festival hopes to promote new talent and encourage innovative storytelling.
The festival’s focus on short films allows for a diverse range of voices and perspectives to be showcased. The selected films demonstrate a range of styles and themes, from drama and comedy to animation and documentary. The competition is expected to be fierce, with the jury carefully considering each film before making their decisions.
As the festival approaches, audiences can expect a unique and engaging cinematic experience. The films will be screened at various locations in Doha, providing a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. With its focus on promoting emerging talent and showcasing diverse voices, the Doha Film Festival is set to be an exciting and inspiring event.
The next step for the festival will be the announcement of the winners, which is expected to take place at the closing ceremony on November 28, 2025. The outcome will depend on the jury’s deliberations, and the results are expected to be announced shortly after the final screenings.
