The inaugural Doha Film Festival kicked off Thursday with the official Middle East premiere of Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s moving drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab” standing as testimony to Qatar’s role as a crucial driver for independent Arab cinema just as the country aims to raise its profile in the global film industry sphere.
The moving opening ceremony on a balmy evening in the Katara Cultural Village marked the first time a presentation of the powerful film – which tells the true story of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who was stranded in a car that was attacked by Israeli forces in Gaza and later found dead – was attended by the victim’s mother, Wissam Hamada, who on stage said: “I lost my daugther, but I did not lose my humanity.”
Hind Rajab’s mother did not watch the film because she is unable to hear the real recording of her daughter’s voice which amplifies its gut-wrenching emotional intensity.
“There is a huge gathering around the movie in Doha,” Ben Hania told Variety ahead of the screening, noting that it marked the first time its actors met the real Palestinian Red Crescent Society operatives they play in the film.
It’s significant that “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is launching into the region from Qatar, which has been a key mediator in cease-fire negotiations involving Israel and Hamas.
Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi in a speech noted that the DFI was the first entity to provide funding for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and vowed to take its role to the next level after 15 years during which the DFI has built a solid reputation for fostering quality films mostly from the Arab world.
“DFI has established the golden age of Arab cinema as an essential chapter in the world’s collective story, where long-term commitment meets long-term impact,” she said. “As we turn a new page with Doha Film Festival, we are poised and ready to write the next chapters of our journey to build a global community coming together in dialogue to shape a shared future rooted in purpose and possibility.”
During the opening ceremony, DFI Chairperson Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
presented Egyptian actor Jamal Soliman and France-based Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani (“Body of Lies”) with DFF 2025 Creative Excellence Awards.
Steven Soderbergh, Ramy Youssef, Michaela Coel, Mo Amer, Saleh Bakri, Hiam Abbas and Annemarie Jacir are among talents expected on the festival’s red carpet in coming days. Industry execs in attendance include AGC Studios chief Stuart Ford, Neon CEO Tom Quinn and Miramax CEO Jon Glickman.
The Doha Film Festival’s first edition runs Nov. 20-28.