EU Youth Short Film Festival 2025 Concludes

The Delegation of the European Union to the State of Qatar concluded the second edition of the EU Youth Short Film Festival on 25 November 2025 at Doha Sands Beach, celebrating the power of youth storytelling, cultural dialogue, and creative exchange between Europe and Qatar. Over the course of two evenings, audiences were captivated by outstanding short films that tackled themes ranging from identity, resilience, and inequality to dreams, imagination, and inner strength. The festival also featured two masterclasses with award-winning filmmakers Jamillah van der Hulst and Conrad Alleblas, hosted in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar and Northwestern University in Qatar, inspiring over 200 students to pursue their creative aspirations. His Excellency Dr. Cristian Tudor, Ambassador of the European Union to the State of Qatar, remarked: “This festival is not only a celebration of cinematic creativity, but also a celebration of young voices and the bridges that culture can build across continents. The diversity and depth we witnessed this year are a testament to the extraordinary talent emerging from Europe and Qatar alike.” This year’s awards celebrate filmmakers whose exceptional storytelling, craft, and vision have distinguished them among a highly competitive field. The following awards celebrate the creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence demonstrated across a diverse range of films.

• Best Picture: Fragile – Directed by Kholoud Al Ali
• Best Screenplay: Pema – Directed by Victoria Neto
• Best Emerging Filmmaker: We Will Keep Swaying – Directed by Jannat Malik
• Honourable Mentions:
  • AirHostess-737 – Directed by Thanasis Neofotistos
  • Polio & Prejudice – Directed by Mahnoor Naveed
  • Civilization of Equality – Directed by Ibrahim Albuainain

The awards were evaluated by a jury made up of: Noor Al-Nasr – Film Programmer and Curator; Angelos Lenos, Deputy Head of Mission of the Delegation of the European Union to the State of Qatar; Jamillah van der Hulst – Filmmaker & Founder of JaJa Film Productions; Conrad Alleblas; Film Consultant and Producer During the closing ceremony, appreciation certificates were presented to key partners who contributed to the success of the event, namely Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, Doha Sands Beach, Al Mana Film Studios, Zerohundred, Odysseyns and Media Stream. Each of these partners played a vital role in bringing this festival to life, from educational outreach and technical production to branding, logistics, and venue support. As the curtains close on this year’s edition, the Delegation of the European Union expresses its deep gratitude to all participating filmmakers, university collaborators, partners, and volunteers. The EU Youth Short Film Festival reaffirms the EU’s commitment to empowering young creatives and fostering meaningful cultural exchange through the universal language of film. We look forward to welcoming you again at our next edition, with new stories, new voices, and new visions.