Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced 22 films for the International Short Film Competition at Doha Film Festival (DFF) 2026, taking place from Nov. 19 to 27.
Spanning cultures, continents and cinematic approaches, the selection of 2 world premieres and 19 MENA premieres bring together emerging and established filmmakers whose distinctive perspectives illuminate personal experiences, collective histories and the complexities of a changing world.
The selection includes For The Opponents by Federico Luis, winner of the Short Film Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2026 and A Few Moments of Happiness by Shaden Safieddine Tazi, winner of the Best Short Film in the 2026 Venice Film Festival Orizzonti section, alongside a rich cross-section of international cinema and compelling stories from the Arab world. From the realities of life in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen to the Peruvian Amazon and rural Indonesia, the selected films reflect the vitality of short-form filmmaking as a space for experimentation, discovery and urgent storytelling.
The competition will be evaluated by an international jury comprising French-Moroccan producer Karim Aitouna; Malaysian filmmaker Amanda Nell Eu, director of Tiger Stripes, which received the Cannes Critics' Week Grand Prize and was supported by Doha Film Institute; and Swiss-Rwandan actress and filmmaker Kayije Kagame. Bringing together diverse creative practices and international perspectives, the jury will deliberate on the selection to recognise outstanding achievements in short-form cinema, assessing the films' artistic vision, originality and storytelling.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of Doha Film Institute, said: "Short films give filmmakers the freedom to take creative risks, challenge conventions and bring fresh perspectives to the screen. They are a powerful reminder that cinema does not need to be bound by scale to leave a lasting impact. At Doha Film Festival, we champion this spirit of bold experimentation and discovery.
"This year's International Short Film Competition celebrates the diversity and creative power of independent cinema. The selected films are deeply rooted in their communities while speaking to experiences that transcend borders and we look forward to welcoming these voices to Doha."The three-member jury will acknowledge excellence in short-form filmmaking with prizes including the Best Film Award (US$20,000), Best Director Award (US$12,000), Best Performance Award (US$7,000) and a Special Mention Certificate.
