Doha, October 14, 2026 : Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced 22 films for the International Short Film Competition at Doha Film Festival (DFF) 2026, taking place from November 19 to 27.
Selection Features World and MENA Premieres
Spanning cultures, continents, and cinematic approaches, the selection includes two world premieres and 19 MENA premieres. It brings together emerging and established filmmakers whose perspectives illuminate personal experiences, collective histories, and the complexities of a changing world.
Cannes, Venice Winners Among Selected Films
The lineup includes For The Opponents by Federico Luis, winner of the Short Film Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, and A Few Moments of Happiness by Shaden Safieddine Tazi, winner of Best Short Film in the Orizzonti section at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. They appear alongside a cross-section of international cinema and stories from the Arab world. From the realities of life in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen to the Peruvian Amazon and rural Indonesia, the films reflect the vitality of short-form filmmaking as a space for experimentation, discovery, and urgent storytelling.
International Jury to Evaluate Competition
The competition will be judged by an international jury of three. It comprises French-Moroccan producer Karim Aitouna; Malaysian filmmaker Amanda Nell Eu, director of Tiger Stripes, which won the Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize with support from Doha Film Institute; and Swiss-Rwandan actress and filmmaker Kayije Kagame. The jury will assess the films’ artistic vision, originality, and storytelling.
Festival Director Highlights Creative Freedom of Short Films
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of Doha Film Institute, said: “Short films give filmmakers the freedom to take creative risks, challenge conventions and bring fresh perspectives to the screen. They are a powerful reminder that cinema does not need to be bound by scale to leave a lasting impact. At Doha Film Festival, we champion this spirit of bold experimentation and discovery.”
She added: “This year’s International Short Film Competition celebrates the diversity and creative power of independent cinema. The selected films are deeply rooted in their communities while speaking to experiences that transcend borders, and we look forward to welcoming these voices to Doha.”
Prizes Total $39,000 Plus Special Mention
The jury will recognize excellence in short-form filmmaking with the Best Film Award ($20,000), Best Director Award ($12,000), Best Performance Award ($7,000), and a Special Mention Certificate.
Source: QNA
