Experiencing Interruptions?

Qadha' w Qadar

In the Family Court of Doha, Noor prepares for her
divorce hearing with her sister, Fatima, who supports her, while their mother, Amna, unexpectedly arrives to oppose the
decision. As tensions escalate, a family secret comes to light, leaving Noor uncertain about proceeding with the divorce.

  • Maryam Al-Mohammed
    Director
  • Maryam Al-Mohammed
    Writer
  • Vitória Teixeira
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    قضاء وقدر
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Legal
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 18, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    Qatar
  • Country of Filming:
    Qatar
  • Language:
    Arabic
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    17:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Northwestern University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Maryam Al-Mohammed

Maryam Al-Mohammed holds a BSc in Media Industries & Technology with a minor in Film & Design from Northwestern University in Qatar. Her journey in filmmaking began with a Doha Film Institute workshop, where she directed her debut short, Do You Remember Me? (2023). Since then, she has taken on various roles in numerous productions, gaining hands-on experience in writing, directing, and producing. Maryam produced Behind You (2023), which was selected for the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival, and Umm Al Duwais (2023), which won Best Narrative Fiction at the Media & Research Awards. Most recently, she directed her latest short, Qadha' w Qadar. Through her work, Maryam continues to explore the intersection of culture, identity, and visual storytelling, using film as a medium to amplify underrepresented voices and create meaningful cinematic experiences

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Director Statement

As women, we are raised to be agreeable, to keep the peace, to make ourselves small. We are our mothers’ daughters; watching, learning, and inheriting unspoken rules about how to exist. I grew up mirroring my mother when silence was easier than confrontation. Like many of us, I learned that being good often meant being silent. Qadha’ w Qadar is about that silence and the moment we decide to break it. The courtroom setting reflects a space of male dominance, where women’s worth is tied to their relationships with men. But beyond the legal battle, the real struggle is the one Noor faces within herself — the pressure to conform, the fear of disappointing those she loves, and the weight of finally choosing herself. This film is deeply personal, not because I’ve been through a divorce, but because I’ve experienced what it feels like to be voiceless. To have my identity and choices shaped by others, while my voice remains unheard. This film isn’t just about Noor. It’s about all of us who have ever felt caged by expectations. It’s about the moment we decide to step out of them. To stand up. To choose our voice.