Doha, Qatar – A powerful testament to its ongoing mission of championing bold voices in global cinema, Doha Film Institute (DFI) proudly announces that eight films supported through its grants programme have been officially selected for the 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025.
The remarkable selection highlights the Institute’s steadfast commitment to nurturing original, underrepresented storytelling from the Arab world and beyond, showcasing a wide array of genres, cinematic styles, and diverse cultural narratives. This year’s line-up further cements Qatar’s position as a dynamic hub for international filmmaking.
“We are incredibly proud to attend the 78th edition of Cannes with another selection of outstanding films supported by the Institute,” said Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of Doha Film Institute. “This recognition speaks to the power of authentic storytelling and the importance of amplifying diverse voices. Most importantly, they exemplify cinema’s profound power to connect us while revealing the beauty and complexity of our varied experiences.”
Representing Global Cinema at the World’s Most Prestigious Film Festival
The DFI-backed films will be showcased across several prestigious Cannes sections:
🎥 Official Selection Competition
- ‘Renoir’ (Japan, France, Singapore, The Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar) by Chie Hayakawa
Set in Tokyo in the summer of 1987, this poignant story follows an 11-year-old girl navigating her father’s terminal illness and her mother’s emotional distance, seeking human connection amidst turmoil.
🎥 Un Certain Regard
- ‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ (Egypt, Tunisia, KSA, Sudan, Germany, France, Qatar) by Morad Mostafa
A Somali caregiver in Cairo becomes entangled with an Egyptian gang, balancing survival, love, and fear within the African migrant community. - ‘Promised Sky’ (Tunisia, France, Qatar) by Erige Sehiri
Three Ivorian women living in Tunis share a home and church, confronting personal and generational challenges with hope and resilience. - ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’ (Palestine, France, Germany, Portugal, Qatar) by Tarzan & Arab Nasser
Set in Gaza, 2007, this drama explores intersecting lives—a student, a dealer, and a cop—leading to a tragic spiral of violence and betrayal.
🎥 Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique)
- ‘Sleepless City’ (Spain, France, Qatar) by Guillermo García López
In Madrid’s outskirts, 15-year-old Tonino copes with the impending departure of his best friend, confronting loss, identity, and gypsy folklore. - ‘L’Mina’ (Morocco, France, Italy, Qatar) by Randa Maroufi
Using archival storytelling and local voices, this film documents the decline of Jerada, Morocco, after its coal mine closure in 2001, revealing the human cost of energy transitions.
🎥 Director’s Fortnight (La Quinzaine des Cinéastes)
- ‘The President’s Cake’ (Iraq, USA, Qatar) by Hasan Hadi
In Saddam-era Iraq, nine-year-old Lamia races against time to collect ingredients for the President’s birthday cake, using creativity and courage to survive a surreal political ritual.
🎥 ACID Section
- ‘Life After Siham’ (Egypt, France, Qatar) by Namir Abdel Messeeh
A moving documentary reflecting a son’s decade-long grief journey after his mother’s passing. Through film, he explores healing, family, and the impermanence of life.
Shaping the Future of Arab and Global Cinema
DFI’s robust presence at Cannes 2025 reaffirms its role as a trailblazer in international film development and one of the most active cultural institutions in the region. The Institute’s Grants Programme continues to empower visionary filmmakers and foster cross-cultural collaborations that break cinematic boundaries and resonate on a global scale.
With its consistent achievements at prestigious festivals, Doha Film Institute remains at the forefront of cultivating transformative stories and positioning Qatar as a vital player in the global creative economy.
