Doha Film Festival 2026 to open with award-winning Yemeni feature 'The Station'

Doha, Qatar - The opening ceremony of the 2026 Doha Film Festival (DFF) will feature a highly acclaimed debut feature film from Yemen, The Station, directed by Sara Ishaq. The MENA premiere of this powerful story is set to take place from November 19-27, 2026, during the festival at Doha.

The Station unfurls inside a women-only petrol station in war-torn Yemen, offering a rare sanctuary for women to gather, converse, and find respite amidst the chaos. When Layal's younger brother faces compulsory military enlistment, she is compelled to mend her relationship with her estranged sister to save him. This captivating narrative of resilience, sisterhood, and solidarity has garnered five awards at Final Cut in Venice 2025, including the coveted La Biennale di Venezia Award for Best Film in Post-Production.

Sara Ishaq, the film's director and writer, shares her perspective on the film's themes: "The world of The Station distills what I love and cherish about Yemen into a fragile utopia, constantly overshadowed by turmoil beyond its walls. At its core, this film is about people in all their complexity, contradictions and humanity. It is an ode to the people of Yemen, who have endured years of war with dignity and strength."

The film's selection underscores DFF's mission to bring rare stories to global audiences and bridge cultures through film. DFF CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi emphasizes the film's universal themes, stating, "The Station embodies the spirit of cinema we believe in at Doha Film Institute - stories rarely heard that cross borders and remind us of our shared humanity."