The Doha Film Institute has revealed the 27 projects that will receive grants, as part of its autumn funding session; and there's a strong North African presence amongst the selected – from both emerging and established filmmakers from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

There's also a Brazil/Uganda co-production project on the list of 11 scripted features, 9 feature documentaries, 2 experimental features and 5 shorts – all selected from what is said to be a record 211 submissions.

The grants were established to assist first and second time filmmakers, as well as established filmmakers, who might otherwise struggle to secure financing for their projects.

“One of DFI’s main goals is to support and facilitate filmmakers from the MENA region in getting their films made and their stories heard. Many of these stories are reflective of the social and political changes happening in our region and show the unique power of film as a medium to express this. We’re really encouraged by the breadth and depth of submissions from this session and as we continue to fine-tune our MENA Grants process, we will ensure we can support an even more dynamic slate in the future,” said Doha Film Institute CEO Abdulaziz Al-Khater.

The full list of 27 projects follows below, which includes a mix of dark comedies, political dramas, family dramas and more. I'll return with individual highlights of projects, where possible. But feel free to browse through the offerings below.

And, by the way filmmakers, applications for the spring 2013 DFI funding session are now open.

Doha Film Institute Autumn 2012 Funding Grants

FEATURE NARRATIVE – DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

The Bastard by Uda Benyamina (Morocco, France)

Marjoun and the Flying Headscarf by Susan Youssef (Lebanon, US)

Me, Myself and Murdoch by Yahya Alabdallah (Jordan, Palestine)

Red Valentine by Amin Matalqa (Jordan, US)

Wooden Rifle by Alfouz Tanjour (Syria)

FEATURE NARRATIVE – PRODUCTION GRANTS

Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim by Ibrahim El Batout (Egypt, France, Germany)

Memories on Stone by Shawkat Amin Korki (Iraq, Australia, Germany, Sweden)

Pillow Secrets by Jillali Ferhati (Morocco)

Terraces by Merzak Allouache (Algeria)

The Valley by Ghassan Salhab (Lebanon)

POST PRODUCTION GRANTS

Die Welt by Karim Alexander Pitstra (Tunisia, Netherlands, Russia)

SHORT NARRATIVE – PRODUCTION GRANTS

Selma by Mohamed Ben Attia (Tunisia)

The Desert Fish by Alaa Eddine Aljem, (Morocco, France, Belgium)

The Third Hand by Hicham Elladdaqi (Morocco, France)

SHORT NARRATIVE – POST PRODUCTION GRANTS

Ismail by Nora Alsharif (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine)

Though I Know The River Is Dry by Omar Hamilton (Egypt, Palestine)

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY – DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Gaddafi’s Girls by Sylvia Stevens (Libya, UK)

The First Supper by Jamal Khalaile and Pauline Carbonnier (Palestine, France)

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY – PRODUCTION GRANTS

A Djelfa-Dweller’s Dreams by David Yon (Morocco, Algeria, France)

Egypt’s Modern Pharaohs by Jihan El Tahri (Egypt, France, US)

Stars and Extras by Marwa Astanios (Lebanon, Egypt)

What Comes Around by Reem Saleh (Lebanon, Egypt, UAE)

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY – POST PRODUCTION GRANTS

Democracy Year Zero by Amira Chebli and Christophe Cotteret (Tunisia, Belgium, France)

Somebody Clap For Me by Luciana Farah (Qatar, Brazil, Uganda, US)

Waves by Ahmed Nour (Egypt, Morocco)

FEATURE EXPERIMENTAL – DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Dancing Beirut by Alia Hamdan (Lebanon)

FEATURE EXPERIMENTAL – PROD/POST-PRODUCTION GRANTS

I Sold My Land by Reine Mitri (Lebanon)