Doha Film Festival opens its inaugural edition with a robust Spotlight on Sudanese cinema and music, arriving at a moment when Sudanese films and people are fighting to stay visible amid ongoing conflict and displacement. The festival’s Spotlight feels both celebratory and quietly political, underscoring cinema's power to keep Sudanese stories in the global conversation. At the heart of this focus is Suzannah Mirghani’s Thessaloniki-winning feature, Cotton Queen, presented in Doha as a prism through which audiences can see Sudanese culture with clarity. Mirghani, whose film earned acclaim at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, uses intimate family dynamics and everyday life to illuminate broader cultural themes. “There is a sense of being seen,” she says, describing how Cotton Queen gives Sudanese communities a voice that resonates with international audiences. The Doha spotlight offers a rare opportunity for festivalgoers to encounter a nuanced portrayal of life in Sudan—crafted with warmth, humor, and humanity. The Thessaloniki prize underscores how regional awards can accelerate visibility for Sudanese cinema on the world stage. By pairing the Thessaloniki win with Doha’s diverse lineup, the festival builds a bridge between local storytelling and global viewers seeking authentic, culturally rich cinema. Cotton Queen’s presence in Doha reinforces the idea that Sudanese culture—its rhythms, family ties, traditions, and everyday realities—deserves a prominent place in international conversations about film. For viewers and industry professionals alike, the Doha Film Festival’s Sudanese Spotlight is more than a celebration; it is a statement about representation and resilience. Even in times of upheaval, cinema can illuminate a nation’s heritage and connect Sudan to audiences around the world. If you are seeking cinema that blends cultural insight with human-scale storytelling, Cotton Queen and the broader Sudanese program at Doha offer a timely, compelling, and deeply human experience.