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Doha Film Festival 2026 Adds Cinema Alkhaleej Programme to November Line-Up

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2 hours ago

October 30, 2026

Shorya

The Doha Film Festival 2026 announces the Cinema Alkhaleej new showcase that focuses on contemporary cinema from all the countries of the GCC. The show, which begins on November 19 and ends on 27, features both feature films and short productions made by a number of Gulf filmmakers. It seeks to showcase and honour regional voices, cultural identities and evolving social life experiences in the medium of the film.

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Cinema Alkhaleej Highlights Gulf Storytelling

Doha Film Institute chief executive officer and director of the programme Fatma Hassan Alremaihi told the audience that the event would focus on the common events, cultural identities and evolving societies of the Gulf. The films are also chosen with the intention of familiarizing Gulf filmmakers with international audiences and to promote discussion about Gulf cinema in general.

Cinema Alkhaleej Features Saudi Arabian Films

There will be feature film selections, including My Driver and I directed by Ahd Kamel – which is a personal account of social and cultural change. The movie received the Best Feature Film award among the other awards of the 2025 Saudi Film Festival. The programme also looks at the complex parent-child relationships in Soulala, led by Hisham Fakih.

Cinema Alkhaleej Presents Short Films From Five Countries

The short-film presentations are across the GCC. Clouds by Muzna Almusafer are representing Oman and Dunya’s Day by Raed Alsemari is representing Saudi Arabia. They also include Namoos from UAE by artist Nada Jahed, An Evening with Laila by artist Haya Alghanim from Kuwait and Salem Not Salem by artist Omar Farooq from Bahrain.

Cinema Alkhaleej Connects Regional and Global Audiences

As an international show, the showcase is part of the festival’s November programme to place Gulf filmmaking in an international context. Cinema Alkhaleej showcases regional features and short films to audiences, providing an opportunity to discuss various perspectives, approaches and stories capturing the essence of current screen culture in the region.