The series represents an expansion of Doha Film Festival's commitment to amplify underrepresented voices to contribute to balance in global storytelling landscape.
In an effort to amplify the voices of Palestinian filmmakers and challenge censorship and misrepresentation, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) will present the “Voices from Palestine” screening series. This initiative aims to harness the transformative power of cinema to contribute to a more balanced global narrative.
The series commences on November 2 with a special public screening of Elia Suleiman’s cinematic masterpiece, The Time That Remains, at 8 PM in Katara Building 16. This event is presented in collaboration with Filmlab Palestine as part of the global activation of their ‘Palestine Cinema Days’ Festival. The date, November 2, marks the solemn anniversary of the Balfour Declaration in 1917, a pivotal historical event that significantly impacted Palestinian lives.
Following the opening screening, a week-long programme will feature eight Palestinian films at Katara Building 16, Drama Theater, and will include Q&A sessions with the directors. Admission to these screenings will be on a first-registered, first-seating basis.
Speaking about the screening, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “As the human conscience of the world continues to be shocked by the suffering of the Palestinian people, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine. In this most challenging time when their voices are being distorted and censored, we believe that fair representation of their narratives is crucial. Voices from Palestine presents the stories, the struggles, and the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people through the lens of their own filmmakers. These are more than stories—they are a cry for justice, a call for acknowledgement, and a means to preserve the narratives of a people struggling to survive the unspeakable.
She added: “Since its inception, DFI has championed voices from underrepresented communities around the world to balance narratives in the world of storytelling. Amplifying Palestinian voices has always been central to our work and we remain committed to their authentic representation and the accurate portrayal of their experiences and humanity. There is gross injustice of incredible proportions, and we must continue to act as a catalyst for their unfiltered stories to be heard, recognised and respected. Now is the time for us to stand together in solidarity as a community united for justice, peace and humanity, in unwavering support of a free Palestine.”
The inaugural film, The Time That Remains, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Elia Suleiman, is a semi-autobiographical work spanning four episodes and delves into the filmmaker’s family history from 1948 to the present.
The “Voices from Palestine” series also includes other films such as My Love Awaits Me by the Sea (Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Germany/2013), by Mais Darwazah; Divine Intervention (France, Palestine/2002), by Elia Suleiman; 3000 Nights (Palestine, France, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE, Qatar/2015), by Mai Masri; The Roof (Palestine, Germany/2006), by Kamal Aljafari; Dégradé (Palestine, France, Qatar/2015), by Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser; Little Palestine, Diary of a Siege (Lebanon, France, Qatar/2021), by Abdallah Al-Khatib; 200 Meters (Palestine, Jordan, Qatar, Italy, Sweden/2020) by Ameen Nayfeh; and Wajib (Palestine, France, Colombia, Germany, Norway, UAE, Qatar/2017), by Annemarie Jacir.
