Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced a special showcase of Sudanese films and music at Doha Film Festival (DFF), highlighting the creativity and rich heritage of a nation whose stories continue to inspire the world.
DFF is set to take place in Doha, Qatar from 20 to 28 November 2025, featuring a compelling selection of films and a musical celebration titled Sounds of Sudan. The showcase will shine a spotlight on Sudanese voices and experiences, offering audiences a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s cinematic and musical artistry.
Screening in the International Feature Film Competition programme are, Khartoum (Sudan/UK/Germany/Qatar) brings together filmmakers, Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed and Philip Cox, to document the survival and quest for freedom through the dreams of five Khartoum residents displaced by the war, and Cotton Queen (Sudan/Germany/France/Palestine/Egypt/Qatar) by Qatar-based Russian-Sudanese filmmaker and researcher Suzannah Mirghani, which follows teenage Nafisa who becomes the centre of a power struggle over genetically modified seeds to determine the future of her village, blending ecological critique with coming-of-age drama.
Khartoum will screen on 24 November at Katara Building 16, Drama Theatre, and on 26 November at Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City, Screen 6. Cotton Queen will screen on 26 November at Katara Building 16, Drama Theatre, and on 27 November at Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City, Screen 6.
Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, said, “The strong presence of Sudanese film and music at DFF 2025 underlines our commitment to bringing important narratives and amplifying crucial voices from the Global South. While the powerful films open a window to the vibrant and complex stories of Sudan, the music celebrates the resilience and creativity of its people. By including these diverse artistic expressions in the festival, we are creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange that transcends geographies and challenges prevailing narratives.”
The selected films reflect the courage of Sudanese filmmakers who have captured both the struggles and the indomitable spirit of their people, while Sudanese musicians will bring the rhythms and sounds of their land to life on stage. Complementing the film screenings, ‘Sounds of Sudan’ will feature performances by an exceptional lineup of artists including rapper Oddisee (21 November), soul artist Gaidaa (22 November), multi-instrumentalist artist Sammany Hajo (21 November), Sudanese band Karet Safer (21 November), and DJ Nedz, representing the diverse range of contemporary Sudanese music.
American-Sudanese rapper Oddisee is known for his sharp lyricism, soulful production, and socially conscious perspective. Blending boom-bap foundations with live instrumentation, jazz, funk, and soul, he has carved a distinctive space in hip hop. Gaidaa is a Sudanese-Dutch singer, songwriter, and artist known for her warm, soul-infused sound and emotionally rich storytelling. Qatar-based Musician Sammany Hajo remixes traditional songs with contemporary genres like soul, funk and hip hop, and DJ NEDZ is a self-taught, multi-genre DJ and creator with a distinctive style that reflects her Egyptian roots and global journey.
Last year, DFF, formerly known as Ajyal Film Festival, opened with the Sudanese documentary Sudan, Remember Us by French-Tunisian journalist Hind Meddeb. The opening of the star-studded film festival, which took place from 16 to 23 November 2024, also saw performances by activist and poet Shajan Suliman, a key protagonist in Sudan, Remember Us, and Sudanese-Canadian poet and singer Mustafa the Poet. Sudan, Remember Us will screen at the DFF 2025 on 22 November.
DFF represents the bold next chapter in DFI’s mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema. Designed to reflect the diversity and ambition of the region through a wide selection of films, inspiring conversations and engaging events, DFF will provide a truly meaningful shared cultural experience in Doha. For more information, visit www.dohafilm.com.
DFF’s spotlight on Sudan marks the second Sudan-focused initiative in Qatar, following the landmark three-day conference Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art, held from 18 to 20 September 2025. Organised by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), the conference brought together academics, artists, journalists, and activists to explore the role of art and creative expression in times of violence, war, and displacement.
Related posts
