Qatari Short Film SANAD Captures 25 Awards Across 50 International Film Festivals
Directed by Noor Al-Nasr, the award-winning short film celebrates the bonds of brotherhood through a story of mischief, rivalry, and unexpected courage.
Doha, Qatar: 31 October 2026: Qatari short film SANAD, directed by Noor Al-Nasr, has achieved international recognition with 25 awards celebrating its direction, screenplay, and storytelling across 50 international film festivals.
Notable achievements include Best Short Film at the London Independent Film Awards, Best Short Film at the Sweden Film Awards, and Best Screenplay at the Milano Indie Movie Awards. The film has also been selected for Sarajevo Film Festival, Guanajuato International Film Festival, Dhaka International Film Festival and Ajyal Film Festival, demonstrating its expansive reach across diverse audiences and cultures.
SANAD follows Ali and Jassim in a seemingly harmless prank that escalates into a game of revenge, leading to an unexpected moment that tests their relationship. Blending humor, suspense, and emotion, the story explores how sibling rivalry can give way to courage, loyalty, and unconditional support.
“I’ve always been drawn to stories that find something meaningful in ordinary human experiences.” Said Al-Nasr. “With SANAD, I wanted to explore the relationship between siblings – the teasing, the competition, the little conflicts, but also the instinct to protect one another when it truly matters”
SANAD, an Arabic word associated with support and someone to lean on, reflects both the emotional heart of the story and the collaborative spirit behind its creation.
The film’s international journey highlights the growing presence of Qatari storytelling on the global stage, connecting audiences across cultures and backgrounds with a story rooted in universal human experiences.
“Bringing SANAD to audiences around the world has been incredibly rewarding, but what makes this journey truly special is how the story came to life. Filmmaking is a collective effort, and I’m deeply grateful to our talented cast and crew for their dedication and belief in this project, and to the Doha Film Institute for the encouragement and support. These achievements belong to everyone who was part of the journey, and I couldn’t be happier to share this moment with them.”
SANAD marks another milestone in Al-Nasr’s creative journey across film, theatre and visual storytelling with international acclaim, as she continues to explore human connection, new perspectives, and the power of stories to bring people together.
