Doha Film Festival announces Ajyal Film Competition line up

The Doha Film Festival (DFF), organized by Doha Film Institute (DFI), has unveiled the lineup for the 2026 Ajyal Film Competition. The competition showcases 17 films, including five feature films and 12 short films, from a variety of international filmmakers. The Ajyal competition's commitment to empowering young minds through cinema, fostering meaningful dialogue, and promoting a deeper understanding of the world and each other is evident in the selection of films.

The Ajyal Jury, composed of young people aged 16-25, engages in discussions about the films and selects the winners. This panel's role in shaping cultural conversations is crucial, as it affirms the vital influence of the new generation in today's cultural landscape.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of DFI and Festival Director of DFF, stated, "Young people are not merely the audience of tomorrow; they are voices, visionaries, and storytellers shaping our world today." The growth of the Ajyal jurors demonstrates this, as they now serve as curators and moderators, amplifying the power of cinema to create a space for celebrating individuality and recognizing that their voices matter.

The feature film competition features five distinct cinematic voices exploring the complexities of growing up, searching for belonging, and the relationships that shape our lives. The feature films include "Ben Imana" by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, "Gabin" by Maxence Voiseux, "Out of School" by Hind Bensari, "Summer Meadow" by Naël Khleifi and Lisa Debauche, and "We Are Aliens" by Kohei Kadowaki.

The short film selection comprises 12 standout works, such as "As a Cure" by Dorothea Sing Zhang, "Boomerang Atomic" by Rachid Bouchareb, "Boundaries" by Seun Yee, "Intersecting Memory" by Shayma Awawdeh, "Nobody Said Anything" by Tamara Todorović, "Prisoner of Love" by Yumna Marwan, "The Bird's Placebo" by Rami Jarboui, "The Kalgan Horse" by Zichen Zhao, "Threads of Support" by Olya Korsun, "Typhoon Mambo" by Domenico Singha Pedroli, "Vegetare" by Adrià Expòsit-Goy, and "We Were Here" by Pranav Bhasin.

By hosting the Ajyal Film Competition, DFF continues to advocate cinema as a potent platform for young people to engage in cultural exchange, critical thinking, and creative discovery.