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Diverse projects by Arab and international filmmakers from 17 countries highlight DFI’s commitment to promoting independent voices in cinema. Six projects by Qatari and Qatar-based talent, along with 25 projects from women filmmakers and 14 returning filmmakers

Cannes, France – At the Cannes Film Festival 2024, the Doha Film Institute reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing emerging voices in global cinema by unveiling the recipients of its 2024 Spring Grants cycle. This prestigious program has selected 44 films from 17 countries for support, continuing its legacy as the Middle East's longest-serving film development initiative. Since its inception, the program has backed over 850 diverse projects from 75 countries.

Awarded in two cycles—Spring and Fall—the grants program seeks to identify and nurture first- and second-time filmmakers globally. It supports feature and short narratives, documentaries, essays, experimental films, as well as TV and web series.

This year’s recipients include projects from Qatar, Algeria, China, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, and first-time grantees from Malta, South Korea, and Tajikistan. Among the grantees are 25 women filmmakers and 14 returning grantees, with six projects from Qatar-based talent.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, highlighted the program's mission: “Our Grants programme aims to build a collective of authentic voices that bring diversity and depth to cinema, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and nurturing powerful storytelling.”

The 2024 Spring Grants include:

Feature Narrative – Development

• Al-Dana (Qatar) by Nora Al-Subai
• Running With Beasts (Lebanon, Czech Republic, Qatar) by Leila Basma

Feature Narrative – Production

• Marie and Jolie (Tunisia, France, Qatar) by Erige Sehiri
• Sound of Silence (Lebanon, France, Greece, UK, Qatar) by Joyce A. Nashawati

Feature Narrative – Post-Production

• To a Land Unknown (Palestine, UK, Greece, Netherlands, France, Germany, Qatar) by Mahdi Fleifel
• Yunan (Syria, Germany, Canada, Italy, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) by Ameer Fakher Eldin

Feature Documentary – Production

• Flower of the Sands (Morocco, Qatar) by Jaouad Babili
• Climbing the Mountains (Algeria, France, Germany, Qatar) by Sabrina Chebbi

Feature Documentary – Post-Production

• She Was Not Alone (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, USA, Qatar) by Hussein Al-Asadi
• Those Who Watch Over (Morocco, Belgium, Qatar) by Karima Saidi

TV Series – Development

• Badr on the Moon (Qatar, Jordan) by Aisha Al-Jaidah and Kholoud Al Ali
• Last Words (Lebanon, Canada, Qatar) by Antoine Waked

Web Series – Production

• El'Sardines (Algeria, France, Qatar) by Zoulikha Tahar

Shorts – Narrative – Development

• Before the Day Breaks (Qatar) by Amal Al-Muftah
• If Only (Qatar) by Ali Al Anssari

Shorts – Narrative – Production

• Little Man (Morocco, France, Qatar) by Hajri Gachouch
• Salted Skins (Lebanon, France, Canada, Qatar) by Nicolas Fattouh

Shorts Documentary – Production

• The Star (Lebanon, Qatar) by Ingrid El Zoghby
• Another Day Shall Come (Palestine, Qatar) by Aida Kaadan

The Doha Film Institute will reveal further details about the projects and their progress throughout the year, reinforcing its role in fostering innovative and independent voices in world cinema.

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