The festival, presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), selected winners across three categories: Ajyal Jury competition, Ajyal in Gaza programme and Made in Qatar awards.
The Ajyal Film Festival announced the winners of its twelfth edition, as it drew to a close on November 23. The festival, presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), selected winners across three categories: Ajyal Jury competition, Ajyal in Gaza programme and Made in Qatar awards.
The winners of the Ajyal Jury Competition were selected by over 400 young jurors, aged between 8 to 25 years, who watched a total of 66 thought-provoking films from 42 countries in three categories – Mohaq (8 to 12 years), Hilal (13 to 17 years) and Bader (18- to 25-year-old jurors). The winning films are: Bottles (Morocco), Block 5 (Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Serbia), Canary in a Coal Mine (Lebanon), Searching for Amani (Kenya, USA), Apoleon (Egypt, France), and Thank You for Banking with Us (Palestine, Germany, KSA, Qatar, Egypt).
The Ajyal in Gaza programme screened films from Qatar for 90 young jurors in Gaza, who awarded Above the Tamarind Tree (Qatar) by Buthyna Al Mohammadi the top honour.
The Made in Qatar Awards, which recognises the works of Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers, were evaluated by a three-member jury led by acclaimed Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri and included Kenyan filmmaker Debra Aroko and Qatari filmmaker Amal Al Muftah. The winners are I Lay for You To Sleep (Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance and Best Film Award), Alkaline (Best Director Award), and Remember Us (Audience Award).
Addressing the audience, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “While we hosted our screenings here, our hearts were with our neighbours who are undergoing great challenges. When 90 young jurors in Gaza found a way to participate in Ajyal despite everything happening around them, it showed me the true power of what we do. Their courage and determination to engage with cinema even in the darkest hours, reminds us of our purpose. It tells us why we can never stop telling stories of the wronged and the neglected.”
She added: “We have been inspired by how filmmakers respond to the changes around them. Through our support to young, emerging and independent voices, we have underlined the power of film to break barriers and form positive bonds through cultural exchange and understanding.”
With DFI approaching its 15th year in 2025 Alremaihi commented, “As we look ahead to a new chapter with Doha Film Festival, the Ajyal spirit remains. Our young jurors have always been the driving force behind the festival, and they will to be central to next year’s exciting new chapter in film and storytelling. Ajyal means generations, and what we have built together is a legacy for future generations. We told a magnificent story and we are about to tell another filled with hope and excitement, and will continue to champion the voices of underrepresented communities.”
