The Ajyal Film Festival

Ajyal 2021

Are you ready to press play?

Welcome to another incredible Ajyal Film Festival, Qatar’s unmissable annual celebration of film, music, art and pop culture. It seems like the world has almost been on pause for the last while, but we hope you are ready to once again rediscover your sense of play! This year’s festival is bursting back to life with venues and experiences all over Doha for you to enjoy.

Katara Cultural Village plays host to our highly anticipated opening night screening from two-time Academy award-winner and collaborator with Doha Film Institute, Asghar Farhadi. As well as our compelling Made in Qatar programme, Made in USA short programme, and select features.

In partnership with the Translation and Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, we are delighted to bring our popular inclusive experience back to the silver screen at Katara with a DFI supported film, Oualid Mouaness’ critically acclaimed ‘1982’.

Msheireb is home to Ajyal’s Creativity Hub this year. Geekdom will be there with all your favourite events, such as electrifying video game tournaments, sing-along screenings, talented artists, and much more! The historical setting of Msheireb Museums’ Company House will stage Ajyal Tunes’ incredible programme of live music this November, glistening with Qatar-based talent and a few special international guests too.

Drawing inspiration from the Al-Kurd family living in the embattled Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, this year’s exhibit ‘We Will Not Leave’ derives its name from their defiant and now iconic graffiti. Qatar’s creative community has come together in a spirit of solidarity, support and kinship to present a multimedia experience in support of Palestine at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb.

Always a crowd-favourite, the Ajyal Drive-in Cinema experience returns to Lusail. We’ve got something for everyone on this year’s programme—from classic family favourites during the day, to lock your car doors horror at our terrifying midnight screenings! Ajyal also returns to VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City, with an exciting selection of internationally award-winning features and compelling short programmes for you to enjoy.

Ajyal 2021 is back better than ever with an amazing selection of activities for all ages. To help you plan your festival, you will find more information on all our screenings and events throughout this guide. We invite you now to join us throughout Doha this November and press play on a truly remarkable experience...

View the complete festival catalogue here.