Doha, Qatar: The Doha Film Festival (DFF) 2026 has unveiled a diverse music programme featuring internationally acclaimed performers, emerging regional talents and Qatar-based artists, promising audiences an exciting blend of musical experiences from November 19 to 27.
Presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), the programme will showcase hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat, electronic music and contemporary Arabic sounds, highlighting music’s ability to connect cultures and celebrate artistic expression. A major highlight will be a special performance by Grammy-nominated Australian singer-songwriter RY X alongside the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, combining contemporary songwriting with orchestral arrangements.
DFI CEO and Director of Doha Film Festival Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said the programme reflects the growing influence of music as a platform for cultural exchange and artistic innovation. “Music is one of the most powerful art forms that bring people together, across borders, languages and culture in experiences that resonate with us all,” Alremaihi said. “Across the Arab world, a new generation of artists are using music not only to innovate and redefine contemporary sounds, but also to express identity, lived experiences and social and cultural issues.” She added that the festival was proud to provide a platform for these artists to connect with audiences through their creativity. Regional hip-hop will feature prominently, led by pioneering Palestinian group DAM, celebrated for socially conscious lyrics exploring identity and belonging. JUNO-nominated Iraqi-Canadian rapper NARCY will also perform.
Qatar’s emerging music scene will receive significant attention, with local artists SaaD and Swaydee representing the country’s growing rap and DJ culture. Qatar-based Sudanese rapper EZ9 will also feature. Other regional performers include Jordanian singer-songwriter Dana Salah, Palestinian-Italian artist TÄRA, UK-based Yemeni producer Intibint and Saudi-based singer Mishaal Tamer.
