25 Cats From Qatar

Official Selection, 2025 Sidewalk Film Festival
Official Selection, 2025 Tallgrass Film Festival

An international team of cat rescuers must work against the clock to get 25 cats from Qatar to the US so they can be adopted, in this new documentary from the makers of Cat Daddies.

The plan, hatched by Katy, a Milwaukee cat cafe owner and flight attendant, is audacious and urgent. In a city where there is one street cat for every person, nearly 90% of Doha’s human residents are temporary workers—many of whom want companionship during their stay, but must leave their pets behind when they leave.

Despite the wealth of oil-producing Qatar, the lack of investment in the care of street cats has led to an informal network of volunteer rescuers hailing from throughout Asia. Umair (Pakistan) secretly shelters 50 cats at his workplace while tending to colonies across town. Lana (Jordan) and Monira (Iran) rehabilitate 300 sick and disabled cats in a rented four-story “cat castle.” Valerie (Singapore) and Lenny (the Philippines) sometimes find adopters in their home countries. Ashok and VJ wish to rehome their rescues as they plan to return to India.

With just four days to clear health checks and finalize paperwork, the team is assisted by Zaman, an accidental rescue driver from Bangladesh, and veterinarians like Dr. Mir, working around the clock to prepare Manu, Marley, Lady, Goose, Penelope, Dr. Garfield, and others for their epic journey to their forever homes.

– Wilda Wong

Preceded By

A Walk into the Afterlife

Directed by Jiyun Jeong

A small cat journeys into the garden of the afterlife in search of a magical flower.