Doha Film Festival spotlights powerful regional narratives with ‘My Father and Qaddafi’, ‘The President’s Cake’

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Film Festival (DFF) continues to captivate audiences with its selection of authentic stories, hosting resonant discussions follo...

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Film Festival (DFF) continues to captivate audiences with its selection of authentic stories, hosting resonant discussions following the regional premieres of "My Father and Qaddafi" and "The President’s Cake".

The tight-knit family behind "My Father and Qaddafi" – director Jihan, her mother Baha, brother Rashid, and niece Danya – delved into the film’s exploration of the 1993 disappearance of Jihan’s father, Mansur Rashid Kikhia, a Libyan diplomat and peaceful opposition leader whose body was found 19 years after he vanished.

“This is a personal film, because he is my father first. There were many ways to tell the story – but this is the one I chose,” Jihan stated.

Jihan expressed gratitude for the festival’s support: “To be hosted and validated by Doha, to see them make such a genuine and beautiful effort, I’m honoured and grateful. Doha Film Institute (DFI) has offered some of the most pure, genuine support I’ve had.”

Mother Baha, whose resilience shines onscreen, shared, “I was raised to be happy and believe in God’s will. I can face everything, because I always have hope.”