The second edition of Doha Film Festival (DFF) will open with the MENA premiere of Sara Ishaq’s The Station on Thursday, November 19.
The debut feature of Yemeni-UK filmmaker Ishaq takes place in a women-only petrol station in war-torn Yemen, where women gather for fuel, conversation and respite from their harsh realities. As one woman’s younger brother faces enlistment, she is forced to reconnect with her estranged sister to save him.
The film debuted in the Cannes Critics’ Week sidebar this year, having won five prizes at the Final Cut in Venice lab last year, including best film in post-production.
Ishaq wrote the script with Nadia Eliewat, with the film starring Manal Al-Mulaiki, Abeer Mohammed, Rashad Khaled, Saleh Al-Marshahi, Fariha Hassan, Randa Mohammed, Fatima Muthanna, Amal Esmail and Shorooq Mohammed.
It is produced by Jordan’s Screen Project (a Ta Films company), with France’s Georges Films, Germany’s One Two Films, the Netherlands’ KeplerFilm, Sweden’s BarentsFilm, the Netherlands’ Setara Films and Jordan’s The Imaginarium Films.
The film received development and production grants from the Doha Film Institute (DFI), which runs DFF.
“The Station embodies the spirit of cinema we believe in at Doha Film Institute — stories rarely heard that cross borders and remind us of our shared humanity,” said DFI CEO and DFF director Fatma Hassan Alremaihi. “Sara Ishaq has created a film of extraordinary courage and tenderness, transforming a story rooted in Yemen into one that speaks to audiences everywhere.”
“At its core, this film is about people in all their complexity, contradictions and humanity,” said Ishaq. “It is an ode to the people of Yemen, who have endured years of war with dignity and strength.”
“In this time of uncertainty in our beloved region, our ability to come together and support our own narrative is vital,” said Eliewat. “The Station is a testament to that solidarity.”
Doha Film Festival held its first edition last year, during which Qatar launched a 50% cash rebate, and several major international firms, including Sony, Neon and Miramax signed partnerships with the country’s Film Committee. The 2026 edition will run from November 19-27.
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