The inaugural edition of the Doha Film Festival concluded with a vibrant awards ceremony at the Katara Drama Theatre in Doha on November 2023. The event celebrated a diverse array of films and filmmakers, culminating in the presentation of several prestigious awards, including the highly coveted audience award.
Mirghani received the audience award for her debut feature, which premiered at the Critics’ Week of the Venice Film Festival earlier this year. The film, set in a Sudanese cotton-farming village, portrays the life of a woman whose community is disrupted by a young businessman. During the ceremony, Mirghani expressed gratitude for the support of her large team, humorously stating, “we always travel this way,” and noted the enthusiastic turnout from both the Sudanese and Qatari audiences.
In the international feature competition, the best narrative award went to Guillermo Galoe for his Spain-France co-production, which follows a 15-year-old boy navigating the complexities of tradition and survival as his scrap-collecting family faces eviction. Galoe, who premiered his film at Cannes Critics’ Week this year, dedicated his award to “Palestinian brothers and sisters, who are living in a genocide,” highlighting the ongoing struggles in Gaza.
The best documentary award was claimed by Jihan K, whose film investigates her father’s disappearance in Cairo in 1993, while also documenting her mother’s 19-year quest for the truth. During her emotional acceptance speech, Jihan expressed the importance of her family in her life’s narrative, stating, “I accept this award on behalf of my family – my mother, and my father, who loved and fought for his country.”
Another highlight of the evening included the best feature prize awarded by the Ajyal youth jury to Kaouther Ben Hania for her docudrama. The award was accepted by cast member Saja Kilani, who represented the film at the festival.
The atmosphere of the ceremony was light-hearted, featuring humorous anecdotes from co-host Nasser Al-Rayes, who shared a comedic story about his childhood, and Rithy Panh, the international jury president, who quipped about being mistaken for various celebrities.
In her closing remarks, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute and festival director, articulated the festival’s commitment to fostering creativity. She stated, “This festival is a promise that creativity will always have a space, that diverse voices will always be heard, and that Qatar will continue to open its doors to artists shaping a connected and compassionate world.”
The festival showcased an impressive lineup of 97 films from 62 countries, alongside panels, discussions, and music events featuring artists such as Yasiin Bey and Palestinian stars Saint Levant, Zeyne, and Elyanna. The festival has also made strides in enhancing the Qatari film industry, offering a cash rebate of up to 50% and establishing significant partnerships with US production companies during the recent Industry Days.
The notable winners from the Doha Film Festival 2023 include:
– Best Narrative: Guillermo Galoe (Spain-France)
– Best Documentary: Jihan K (US-Libya)
– Best Artistic Achievement: Chie Hayakawa and Kamal Al Jafari (ex aequo)
– Best Performance: Majd Eid and Nader Abd Alhay
– Special Mention: Pablo Perez Lombardini (Mexico)
– Ajyal Film Competition Best Feature: Kaouther Ben Hania (Tunisia-France-UK)
– Audience Award: Mirghani (Germany-France-Palestine-Egypt-Qatar-Saudi Arabia)
The festival’s successful run sets a promising foundation for future events, reinforcing Doha’s role as a significant cultural hub in the film industry.
