DFI's Qumra 2025 selects 49 projects from 20+ countries
The diverse selection includes feature narratives, documentaries, shorts and series in various stages of production.
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is gearing up for the 11th edition of Qumra, its annual talent incubator dedicated to nurturing emerging voices in Arab and international cinema. This year's programme will provide support to 49 projects from over 20 countries, underscoring DFI's commitment to fostering global storytelling. Among them, 16 projects are spearheaded by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers, reflecting the growing strength of the nation's creative industry.
Qumra 2025 offers a platform for mentorship, skills development and networking, helping filmmakers refine their craft and bring their cinematic visions to life. The event will feature in-depth discussions and workshops with Qumra Masters and leading industry professionals. In-person sessions will take place in Doha from April 4 to 9, followed by online engagements from April 12 to 14, ensuring broad access to expertise and resources.
Speaking about the selected projects, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: 'For more than a decade, Qumra has served as a career-changing destination for emerging filmmakers to hone their skills and advance their projects under the guidance of accomplished filmmakers and industry experts. As a one-of-its-kind talent incubator, we continue to build on our legacy of supporting some of the world's most exciting storytellers throughout their film journey. At a time when filmmakers need support the most – not just financial but also creative and technical, Qumra demonstrates the role we can play collectively to shape the next generation of creative masters.'
She added: 'The diversity of this year's subjects and cinematic approach of the young filmmakers reflects the growing strength of independent cinema. These bold new voices bring to the world stories that matter, promoting a stronger understanding of humanity and our shared values. We are honoured to support several projects from Qatar that proudly demonstrate the impact of our commitment to shaping a vibrant homegrown film industry.'
This year's selection includes a diverse mix of feature narratives, documentaries, and television or web series at various stages of development, production and post-production. The projects span a wide range of themes and genres, with filmmakers hailing from Palestine, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, South Korea, Mexico, and beyond. Many of these works explore deeply personal and socially relevant topics, showcasing the power of cinema as a medium for cultural expression and storytelling.
A significant portion of the selected projects—37 in total—are recipients of DFI's Grants Programme, highlighting the Institute's role in supporting independent cinema. Additionally, 21 projects are alumni of DFI's year-round training initiatives, including the Feature Script Lab, Filmmaking Lab with Rithy Panh, Producers Lab and Series Lab. This holistic approach reinforces DFI's mission to cultivate new talent and provide comprehensive support from script development to final production.
Beyond the industry-focused activities, Qumra also invites the public to engage with the event. Audiences can participate in Qumra Master Classes through the Qumra Pass and attend Qumra Screenings, which will feature a curated selection of acclaimed films from the region and beyond. These screenings celebrate the art of filmmaking and reinforce DFI's commitment to amplifying diverse voices, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and strengthening the global presence of independent Arab cinema.
The Qumra 2025 lineup features a diverse selection of projects across various stages of development, production, and post-production, highlighting the breadth of talent supported by the Doha Film Institute. In the Development – Feature Narrative category, selected projects include The Good Spirit (Palestine, UK, Qatar) by Razan Madhoon, The Joyful 1926 (Algeria, France, Qatar) by Damien Ounouri and Adila Bendimerad, The Pearl (Working Title) (Qatar) by Noor Al-Nasr, and Quarter to Thursday (Algeria, France, Qatar) by Sofia Djama. Meanwhile, the Development – Feature Documentary or Essay category features In the Name of Safia (Algeria, Belgium, France, Qatar) by Safia Kessas, Just Like a Dream (Lebanon, Qatar) by Corine Shawi, The Sixth Story (Iraq, UK, Qatar) by Ahmed Abd, and Speak Image, Speak (Palestine, Germany, Qatar) by Pary El-Qalqili.
In the In Production – Feature Narrative section, notable projects include In Memory of Times to Come by Larissa Sansour, Love 45 by Anas Khalaf, Sari & Amira by A.J. Al-Thani and Sound of Silence by Joyce A. Nashawati. The In-Production – Feature Documentary or Essay category includes Climbing the Mountains by Sabrina Chebbi and Flower of the Sand by Jaouad Babili.
Several projects have reached the Post-Production – Feature Narrative – Picture Lock stage, such as Cotton Queen by Suzannah Mirghani, The Fin by Syeyoung Park, Marie & Jolie by Erige Sehiri, The President's Cake by Hasan Hadi, The Reserve by Pablo Pérez Lombardini, Roqia by Yanis Koussim and Sleepless City by Guillermo García López. Additionally, the Post-Production – Feature Documentary or Essay – Picture Lock section includes Fatna, a Woman Named Rachid by Hélène Harder, Mother of Silence by Zahraa Ghandour, Once Upon a Time in Shiraz by Hamed Zolfaghari and Souraya Mon Amour by Nicolas Khoury.
Work-in-progress projects in the Post-Production – Feature Documentary or Essay category include The Day of Wrath: Tales from Tripoli by Rania Rafei and Jodari Meno by Dr. Jamal Rashid Al-Khanji. Meanwhile, in the Development – TV or Web Series category, selected works include Al-Michelin by Abdul-Rahman, (Dis)Closed by Aida Kaadan, Dirty Hands by Georges Hazim and Maya Dagher, Last Words by Antoine Waked, The Lost City by Chantel Clark, Nadine by Amina Abdelwahab and Claire Saint-Pierre, Palmyra by Carol Mezher and Gabriela Flores, Rent-a-Mama by Dania Bdeir, and Task Force: Apocalypse! by Dana J. Atrach and Anne Sobel. The Showcase – TV or Web Series section features El'Sardines by Zoulikha Tahar.
In the Development – Short Narratives category, Ghafla by Tony El Ghazal, Gharbalah by Afnan Tag, Inside the White Canvas by Amna Al-Binali, Rumor Has It by Mohammed D. Fakhro, and Sad Boy: The Movie by N&LS are among the selected projects. Meanwhile, Me Are You (Lebanon, Qatar) by Myriam Salloum is part of the Development – Short Documentary or Essay category.
For Post-Production – Work-in-progress – Short Narratives, projects include Abu Fanoos by Amira Abujbara and Horia El Hadad, Light to Ashes by Nadia Al-Khater, and Qadha' w Qadar by Maryam Al-Mohammed. The Post-Production – Work-in-progress – Short Documentary or Essay section features Bel Falastini by Obada Jarbi and The Sounds of Silence by Sebastian Delascasas. Lastly, in the Post-Production – Picture Lock – Short Documentary or Essay category, Villa 187 by Eiman Mirghani has been selected.
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