As previously announced, Yemeni-Scottish filmmaker Sara Ishaq’s timely drama “The Station,” which looks at the impact of Yemen’s civil war on the country, is set as opener of the revamped event’s second edition, which will run Nov. 19-27 in the Qatari capital.
Sub-Saharan Africa is repped by two entries: “House of the Wind” by Cameroon’s Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu that won both the Lion of the Future for a first film and the Special Orizzonti Jury Prize at Venice; and gritty, rap-infused “My Semba,” a portrait of Angola’s underground scene that follows three orphaned siblings in Luanda and blends documentary and fiction filmmaking.
Three entries from Asia include “9 Temples to Heaven,” directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, which follows a family visiting nine temples in a single day in the hope of keeping their grandmother alive. The film is Thailand’s international Oscar submission.
Eleven of the 15 titles that will screen in Doha are supported by the Doha Film Institute.
The top prizes to be dished out will be: best narrative, worth $75,000; documentary, worth $50,000; artistic achievement, worth $45,000; and the gender-neutral performance acting award, worth $15,000.
Key partners of the Doha Film Festival include Katara, Media City Qatar – Film Committee, and Visit Qatar.
See the full Doha Film Festival competition lineup below.
“Thirteen in Gaza,” Hosam Abu Dan
“Sama,” Rabab Khamis
“The Station,” Sara Ishaq
“House of the Wind,” Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu
“My Semba,” Hugo Salvaterra
“9 Temples to Heaven,” Sompot Chidgasornpongse
“A Girl Unknown,” Zou Jing
“Filipiñana,” Rafael Manuel
“The Meltdown,” Manuela Martelli
“The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer,” Alessandra Sanguinetti
“Tin Castle,” Alexander Murphy
