The inaugural Doha Film Festival (DFF) concluded with a vibrant awards ceremony at the Katara Drama Theatre in Doha, celebrating a diverse array of films and their creators. Notably, Mirghani received the Audience Award for her debut feature, which captivated attendees and was hailed with enthusiastic applause.
In her acceptance speech, Mirghani expressed gratitude, highlighting the support from her film’s large team and the communities of Sudan and Doha. “The Sudanese people really show up – as do the people of Doha,” she remarked. Her film, which debuted at the Venice Film Festival in 2023, explores the disruption of life in a Sudanese cotton-farming village following the arrival of a young businessman. It was produced with backing from the Doha Film Institute (DFI), which organizes the festival.
The evening also recognized Guillermo Galoe‘s powerful co-production between Spain and France, which won the Best Narrative Award in the international feature competition. Premiering at the Cannes Critics’ Week, the film tells the story of a 15-year-old boy grappling with tradition and survival as his scrap-collecting family faces eviction. During his speech, Galoe took a moment to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians, stating, “I especially want to send up prayers and share this moment with Palestinian brothers and sisters, who are living in a genocide.”
Another poignant moment came from Jihan K, who accepted the Best Documentary Award for her film documenting her father’s 1993 disappearance in Cairo. With heartfelt emotion, she dedicated the award to her family. “I accept this award on behalf of my family – my mother, and my father, who loved and fought for his country,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of her father’s legacy.
The festival also celebrated Kaouther Ben Hania‘s docudrama, which won the Best Feature prize from the Ajyal youth jury, comprised of members aged 16-25 from around the globe. Cast member Saja Kilani accepted the award on behalf of the team, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.
The ceremony was not without lighter moments. Co-host Nasser Al-Rayes entertained the audience with a humorous anecdote about tricking his mother into taking him to a film starring Will Ferrell. Rithy Panh, the international jury president and DFI advisor, added to the levity with his playful remarks about being mistaken for various celebrities.
In her closing remarks, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, the CEO of DFI and director of DFF, emphasized the festival’s significance in fostering creativity and diversity. “This festival is a promise that creativity will always have a space, that diverse voices will always be heard,” she stated.
Over the course of the festival, 97 films from 62 countries were showcased, alongside panels, discussions, and musical performances featuring artists like Yasiin Bey and Palestinian stars Saint Levant, Zeyne, and Elyanna. The DFF also introduced significant changes to the Qatari film industry, including a cash rebate of up to 50% and partnerships with U.S. production firms during the Industry Days event.
The full list of winners from the DFF includes:
– **International Feature Film Competition**
– Best Narrative: (Spain-France) directed by Guillermo Galoe
– Best Documentary: (U.S.-Libya) directed by Jihan K
– Best Artistic Achievement: (ex aequo) Chie Hayakawa and Kamal Al Jafari
– Best Performance: Majd Eid and Nader Abd Alhay
– Special Mention: (Mexico) directed by Pablo Perez Lombardini
– **Ajyal Film Competition**
– Best Feature: (Tunisia-France-UK)
– Audience Award: (Germany-France-Palestine-Egypt-Qatar-Saudi Arabia)
The inaugural DFF not only honored outstanding cinematic achievements but also reinforced the festival’s role as a platform for voices from around the world, fostering a spirit of connection and compassion among artists and audiences alike.
