Short Film Sanad Wins 25 Awards
Qatari director Noor al-Nasr's short film has collected 25 awards and screened at 50 international film festivals.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Middle East
SANAD, a short film directed by Noor al-Nasr, has won 25 awards and been shown at 50 international film festivals. The film, which was also selected for the Ajyal Film Festival, follows brothers Ali and Jassim, whose prank turns into a game of revenge.
Why it matters
The film's run of awards and festival selections highlights the growing reach of Qatari filmmaking on the international circuit. Its selection across Europe, Latin America and South Asia shows how regional stories are finding audiences far beyond their home market.
The film has collected 25 awards and been shown at 50 international film festivals, including Best Short Film honors at the London Independent Film Awards and the Sweden Film Awards. The source does not break down how many awards were top prizes or how many festival slots were competitive.
The players
Noor al-Nasr
Noor al-Nasr is a Qatari filmmaker who has worked across film, theatre and visual storytelling, and directed the short film SANAD.
The details
Directed by Noor al-Nasr, who has worked across film, theatre and visual storytelling, SANAD centers on brothers Ali and Jassim, whose prank escalates into a game of revenge. The film also won Best Screenplay at the Milano Indie Movie Awards and was selected for festivals in Sarajevo, Guanajuato in Mexico and Dhaka.
Timeline
Article reporting the film's award success was published on October 31, 2026.
Regional Pipeline
SANAD's selection for the Ajyal Film Festival places the film within a Doha-based platform that has long championed regional short filmmaking. Its wider run through European and Latin American festivals extends that regional pipeline into international competition circuits.
Travelers interested in regional cinema can look for screenings tied to festivals such as Ajyal, which programs films from across the Gulf. Festival schedules and film availability should be checked directly with each event before planning a trip around a specific screening.
The takeaway
Regional short films can build an international audience through festival circuits, and following a festival's programming is one practical way to find them. The growth of such films reflects a wider expansion of Middle Eastern cultural output on the global stage.
Further reading
Explore more Middle East travel and culture coverage for context on the region's growing creative scene.
