*A still from ‘Cotton Queen’ by Suzannah Mirghani, which will screen in Critics’ Week in Venice*

Doha Film Institute Venice-bound films include the stunning 'Cotton Queen' by Suzannah Mirghani and Kaouther Ben Hania's Competition title 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'

E. Nina Rothe August 14, 2025

Other titles supported by the respected Qatari cinematic organization include Jihan K’s personal doc on the disappearance of her father during the Qaddafi regime, Cyril Aris’ ‘A Sad and Beautiful World’ starring Mounia Akl, which will be screening in the Official Selection and Giornate degli Autori lineups, respectively, along with Sofia Alaoui’s sci-fi fable ‘Tarfaya’ which participates in the Venice Production Bridge.

DFI's 2024 Fall Grants announcement includes projects by Youssef Chebbi, Sofia Alaoui, Mehdi Hmili and Anas Khalaf

E. Nina Rothe January 30, 2025

As well as a feature doc by Iraqi actress and filmmaker Zahraa Ghandour, a web series by Palestinian storyteller Amer Shomali, Damien Ounouri’s and Adila Bendimerad’s follow up to festival fave ‘The Last Queen’, and shorts by Qatari talents Mahdi Ali Ali and Majid Al-Remaihi.

*A still from ‘Yalla Parkour!’ by Areeb Zuaiter*

There are eight DFI-supported titles in this year's Berlinale lineup

E. Nina Rothe January 23, 2025

And at least one in each section too, including Competition and the new Perspectives for first time features.

*A still from ‘Brief History of a Family’ by Jianjie Lin*

Seven DFI supported films to screen at this year's Berlinale

E. Nina Rothe February 7, 2024

They include two projects ‘In Competition’, three in ‘Panorama’, one each in the ‘Encounters’ and ‘Generation’ sections.

'Bye Bye Tiberias' review: A personal tribute to a global cause

E. Nina Rothe September 13, 2023

Lina Soualem’s touchingly personal documentary should be required viewing for anyone who wants to understand the Palestinian struggle, and the true emotional toll of an entire people’s displacement.

Five indie films to watch at this year's Venice Film Festival

E. Nina Rothe August 30, 2023

It may be a Netflix world and we’re just living in it, as the streaming giant is hot on the Lido this year with Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’, Pablo Larrain’s vampire dictator romp and Wes Anderson’s latest — but there are a couple of indie titles that you need to watch.

*Actress Lyna Khoudri in a still from 'Papicha' by Mounia Meddour*

“Redefine what a heroine is”: Algerian filmmaker Mounia Meddour on her film ‘Papicha’ in Cannes

E. Nina Rothe May 29, 2020

I believe that if there were more women film critics, the business of cinema would be much different. There would be better films made, more communication between what audiences want and filmmakers create, and those projects which portray the truth of our humanity would receive the attention they deserve. 'Papicha' by Mounia Meddour would be one of those projects. Now let me explain what I mean.

‘Papicha’ is now streaming as part of the Virtual Cinema of Film at Lincoln Center, through June 4th. An act of courage if you read my piece!

Mariam Al Ferjani in a still from Kaouther Ben Hania's 'Beauty and the Dogs'

Forget Wonder Woman - I Found My Heroine Within ‘Beauty and the Dogs’ in Cannes!

E. Nina Rothe March 17, 2018

Films featuring strong women are what I crave. But I won’t buy that typical Hollywood fare, which sells the perfect package of a buff heroine dressed in a shiny costume doing stunts as the perfect woman’s film. Nope. I need a real-life wonder woman to fulfill my cravings.

In Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s latest ‘Beauty and the Dogs’, which world premiered at the Festival de Cannes in their Un Certain Regard section, I found her.

Within the role of Mariam (played to absolute perfection by first-time actress Mariam Al Ferjani), your typical run of the mill modern university girl wanting to have fun on a night out at a club event we learn she helped to organize, I discovered a heroine that transcends the Arab world — Mariam’s story takes place in Tunisia — and jumped off the screen straight into my subconscious. And remained there, juggling with my thoughts, until now.

Favorite movies only need apply. Life is too short to write about what I didn't enjoy.