Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Doha Film Institute Supports 57 New Projects
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that it is supporting 57 new film projects from 46 different countries.
This is a big milestone because it means DFI has now helped more than 1,000 projects in 15 years.
Some of the new projects include a dark comedy by Bassel Ghandour, a sibling drama by Hinde Boujemaa, and a film by Abdallah Al-Khatib that will be shown at the Berlin Film Festival.
DFI gives money to filmmakers to help them tell their stories, especially those from places where it's hard to get support.
The institute wants to make sure that movies from all over the world, especially from places that don't often get attention, can be seen and enjoyed by everyone.
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has backed 57 new projects from 46 countries in its 2025 Fall Grant Cycle, reaching a milestone of supporting over 1,000 projects in 15 years.
Notable grantees include Bassel Ghandour's dark comedy 'Occupational Hazards', Hinde Boujemaa's sibling drama 'Yammi', and Abdallah Al-Khatib's 'Chronicles from the Siege', which will debut at the Berlin Film Festival.
The DFI Grants Programme is one of the longest-running film development initiatives in the region, awarded biannually in the spring and fall.
The latest selection includes 10 projects by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers, such as Hamad Salem Al-Hajri's documentary 'When The News Breaks You' about journalists in conflict areas.
DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi stated that the programme aims to rebalance the world cinema landscape by supporting stories shaped by lived experience, truth, and artistic courage.
- Who
- Doha Film Institute (DFI) and various filmmakers from 46 countries
- What
- DFI announced 57 new projects receiving its backing in the 2025 Fall Grant Cycle, marking a milestone of supporting over 1,000 projects in 15 years
- When
- 2025 Fall Grant Cycle
- Where
- Global, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
- Why
- To rebalance the world cinema landscape and support important voices, particularly from regions and communities facing barriers to equitable representation
- Total Projects Supported
- 1,000
- Countries Represented
- 46
- Notable Grantees
- Bassel Ghandour, Hinde Boujemaa, Abdallah Al-Khatib
- Program Duration
- 15 years
- Grantees from Qatar
- 10