The Doha Film Institute (DFI), which organizes the annual Ajyal Film Festival, has canceled the 11th edition, scheduled for November 8-16.

Organizers said the cancellation of the event was a gesture of solidarity with the beleaguered Palestinian community in Gaza.

In solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, Doha Film Institute (DFI) will cancel this year's edition of the Ajyal Film Festival.

Those of you familiar with the Festival know that Ajyal is more than just an annual celebration of storytelling. Ajyal is a grassroots event created and delivered by the community, for the community.

At this time, we grieve alongside the community within our region and are devastated by the staggering loss of innocent lives every day. This is not a time for celebration. "Now is the time for focused and intentional action," said the organizers.

The DFI has championed voices from underrepresented communities worldwide with the aim of bringing a balanced narrative to storytelling. As a cultural organization, we have always been committed to highlighting Palestinian stories.

Our commitment to empowering their authentic representation remains firm and we stand firmly for the accurate portrayal of their experiences and humanity.

In a statement, the DFI said it would use its resources to expand Palestinian voices worldwide.

As a consequence, the Institute will be exploring new avenues of using our platform to expand the reach and volume of Palestinian voices worldwide in lieu of hosting this year's Ajyal Film Festival. It is more important now than ever for us to continue to serve as a conduit for their unfiltered narratives to be heard, acknowledged, and respected.

During this critical time, we look forward to standing together in the pursuit of a peaceful and just future with your support.

Several powerful Qatari voices supported the Palestinian people and their suffering at the hands of Israeli oppressors.