Doha Film Institute Podcast - Powered by afikra
The Doha Film Institute Podcast is an interview series powered by afikra, that celebrates the dynamic and evolving world of cinema and offers a comprehensive look at the powerful role storytelling plays in preserving heritage and fostering dialogue across communities. As an independent, not-for-profit cultural organization, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) is dedicated to nurturing authentic voices, supporting filmmakers, and building a thriving film culture in Qatar and beyond. We’ll go behind the scenes to explore conversations across film, music, and cultural expression, from intimate interviews to thought-provoking panel discussions. Join us as we speak with filmmakers, composers, and ke...
My Father and Qaddafi | Jihan K
The director of award-winning documentary, My Father and Qaddafi (بابا والقذافي), Jihan K, explores in this episode the nine-year creative journey of reclaiming a family narrative after the 1993 kidnapping of her father, Mansour Kikhia, a former Libyan Foreign Minister turned peaceful opposition leader. Jihan shares a nuanced perspective on her childhood in exile, moving beyond a standard investigative lens to build a collage of Libya using intimate family archives and interviews with a dying generation. The conversation delves into the strength of the director's mother—who led a 19-year international search while nurturing a joyful home—and the challenge of defining "Libyan-ness" for...
Reflections on 15 years of Global South Cinema | Zaina Bseiso
Behind the scenes of "Atlas of Cinematic Affinities", filmmaker and curator Zaina Bseiso reveals the obsessive process of distilling 15 years of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) into a visual history that feels more like a sensory experience than a book. We dive into the "ships that keep on sailing" metaphor which guided the book's design, moving away from dry chronologies to explore how 8,000 pages of raw filmmaker artifacts, from 3:00AM script scribbles to personal family portraits, build a collective map of regional and global cinema. Bseiso breaks down the miracle of independent filmmaking in the region, the DFI’s gr...
Authentic Frequencies From the Arab World | Moza Al Is’haq, Dana Al Fardan & Dana Al Meer
The regional music industry is entering a new era of global influence. Moza Al-Hajri, Dana Al Fardan, and Dana Al Meer provide an inside look at how Qatar is positioning itself as a world-class hub for content creation and musical excellence. They discuss cultural influences in their work, the responsibility of artists as storytellers, and how creative spaces can nurture emerging voices. From the technical mastery required to produce a multi-song FIFA World Cup album to the preservation of traditional seafaring heritage within symphonic compositions, these leaders are defining a unique Arab voice for the international stage.
The Mechanics of Influence | Ahmed Shihab-Eldin & Rahma Zein
"We are all maneuvering in life normally, but our hearts are very much broken."
Journalists Ahmed Shihab-Eldin and Rahma Zein sit down with moderator, cartoonist Khalid Albaih for an essential conversation on the weight of narrative in a time of systemic erasure. We explore the role of journalism, storytelling, and cultural expression in shaping narratives around resistance, identity, and the shared realities of Palestine and Sudan. From the front lines of global media to the personal ripple effect of a single headline, the discussion delves into the reasons we tell stories, beyond informing others, to make sense...
Cotton Queen & Sudanese Stories | Suzannah Mirghani
“It's a miracle that any film exists, but a film made during conflict, even more so.” We sit down with filmmaker, writer, and academic Suzannah Mirghani to discuss her latest film, Cotton Queen, and the harrowing reality of creating art while Sudan faces an ongoing genocide. Suzannah reveals the heartbreaking journey of a production displaced by war, where the cast and crew were forced to flee to Egypt to find safety and a space to continue their work. We explore the "miracle" of Sudanese cinema, a movement that refuses to be erased despite the systemic destruction of the country's tang...
In Every Frame, A Rhythm | Suad Bushnaq, Ben Frost, & Gustavo Santaolalla
We explore the role of music in shaping cinematic storytelling, and how rhythm, sound, and silence make up an essential language across different film traditions. Our guests Suad Bushnaq, Ben Frost, and Gustavo Santaolalla reflect on their creative processes, the relationship between image and sound, and how they approach composing for diverse narratives and emotional landscapes. They also discuss collaboration with directors, cultural influences in their work, and the evolving role of film scores in contemporary cinema.
00:00 Introduction
02:47 Beyond a Single Label
10:11 Composing from the Page
11:54 When the Sounds B...
Past, Present and Future of DFI | Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi
We explore the history, mission, and future of Arab cinema in Qatar and the wider region in the first episode of the Doha Film Institute Podcast, powered by afikra. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, joins us to discuss the institute’s evolution from the Doha Tribeca Film Festival to a year-round platform supporting filmmakers through grants, mentorship, workshops, and networking events like Qumra. She reflects on DFI’s role in supporting storytellers, fostering a collaborative internal culture, and creating spaces for underrepresented perspectives. The conversation also delves into the resilience of the Arab film industry in t...
