Doha Film Institute Shines at 2026 Cannes Film Festival with Seven Selections

Seven films supported by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) have been selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 12–23 in Cannes, France. The DFI-backed productions will screen across various prestigious sections at the festival, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic talent and international collaborations. These include the Official Selection, In Competition, Un Certain Regard, Critics' Week (La Semaine de la Critique), and Directors' Fortnight (La Quinzaine des Cineastes). This strong presence shows the DFI's significant role in fostering global cinema.

Key Selections Noted

Asghar Farhadi's "Parallel Tales," a co-financed production by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), will premiere In Competition, marking a significant entry for the Institute. This highly anticipated film is a co-production spanning France, the United States, Italy, and Belgium, featuring an acclaimed cast including Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Cassel, Catherine Deneuve, and Adam Bessa. Farhadi, an Academy Award-winning director, brings his signature depth and emotional complexity to this new work. The selection of "Parallel Tales" in the festival's most prestigious section notes the DFI's commitment to supporting films by world-renowned auteurs.

Three DFI-supported films are scheduled for the Un Certain Regard section, known for its focus on original and daring works. These include "Yesterday, The Eye Didn't Sleep" by Rakan Mayasi, a compelling co-production involving Belgium, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Also featured is Laila Marrakchi's "Strawberries," a vibrant film originating from Morocco, France, Spain, Belgium, and Qatar. Completing the trio for this section is Marie-Clementine Dusabejambo's "Ben'imana," a powerful narrative representing Rwanda, Gabon, France, Norway, and Qatar. These selections reflect the DFI's dedication to showcasing diverse regional voices and intricate international partnerships.

Directors' Fortnight (La Quinzaine des Cineastes), a non-competitive section celebrated for its independent spirit, will showcase two DFI-backed projects. Sompot Chidgasornpongse's "9 Temples to Heaven" is a unique collaboration between Thailand, Singapore, France, Norway, and Qatar. Bruno Dumont's "Red Rocks," a co-production of Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, and Qatar, is also part of this distinguished selection. Additionally, Sara Ishaq's "The Station," a poignant film from Yemen, Jordan, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and Qatar, has been selected for Critic's Week (La Semaine de la Critique), which spotlights emerging talents and first or second feature films.

DFI's Cannes Track Record

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has achieved a significant milestone as the first regional film organization to have its tenth co-financed film selected for the Official 'In Competition' section at Cannes. This continues a strong track record for DFI-supported productions at the festival, demonstrating the consistency and impact of its funding initiatives. Previous DFI co-financed films selected for Cannes include "Renoir" by Chie Hayakawa, "Memoria" by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and "About Dry Grasses" by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Other notable selections have featured "Club Zero" by Jessica Hausner, "Banel E Adama" by Ramata-Toulaye SY, Elia Suleiman's "It Must Be Heaven," Nadine Labaki's "Capharnaum," and Asghar Farhadi's "The Salesman." Nuri Bilge Ceylan's "The Wild Pear Tree" was also previously selected, showing a consistent presence of DFI-backed projects in the festival's most prominent showcases.

Commitment to Global Storytelling

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) maintains a consistent strategy of supporting diverse cinematic voices from around the world. The organization’s co-financing and grants extend to projects that often represent a broad spectrum of cultural narratives and international collaborations, reflecting its mission to empower unique storytelling. This approach aligns with its mission to foster storytelling that transcends geographical boundaries and promotes cross-cultural understanding within the global film community. The DFI's involvement in films from countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, Rwanda, Thailand, and Yemen reflects its dedication to enabling productions that might otherwise struggle to secure funding or international distribution. By backing these projects, the Institute aims to enhance the visibility of emerging and established filmmakers, particularly those from the MENA region and beyond, thereby enriching the global cinematic landscape.