Qatar’s filmmaking landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 15 years, a change driven largely by the Doha Film Institute’s year-round programmes and the creative energy of the country’s artistic community. Filmmakers showcasing their work in the Made in Qatar section at the Doha Film Festival 2025 credited DFI with creating unprecedented opportunities that have enabled Qatari and Qatar-based storytellers to refine their craft and reach global audiences.
The impact of this ecosystem is already visible in the careers of emerging directors, said Fatma Al-Ghanim, whose film Theatre of Dreams celebrates the National Women’s Football Team. “This is an exciting time to be a filmmaker in Qatar. With the growth of Doha Film Festival and DFI’s vertical development—from training and labs to funding support—the pipeline is now complete.”
Filmmaker Mahdi Ali, who attended Qatar’s first independent film festival in 2000, reflected on the long journey. “That event put Qatar on the cinema world map. Now we have DFF, and it’s set to create another major shift in the region.” Speaking about his film A Palm Branch, he said: “I drew from my grandmother's and our collective memory of pearl diving, merging it with global conversations about migration.”
Animator and lecturer Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, who has collaborated with DFI for more than a decade, also noted the rapid evolution of the industry. “I’ve seen the environment grow and the community mature. There’s real reason for hope,” he said. Al-Suwaidi co-directed Al-Aqiq: Darkness of Virtuality with Kummam Al-Maadeed, who added, “Seeing students clap for our film that experience meant everything.”
For Fahad Al-Nahdi, director of Project Aisha, the change has unfolded over years of close involvement. “I’ve worked with DFI for ten years across festivals and community events, and the growth has been remarkable—more resources, more funding, more opportunity for a stronger impact.”
Filmmaker Karim Emara, a former Ajyal Youth Juror now presenting Baba Is Melting, described the progress as personal. “The leap from 2015 to 2025 is incredible. With every edition, films get stronger.”
Documentarian Eiman Mirghani, presenting Villa 187, said filmmakers have grown in step with the Institute's initiatives. “This edition of DFF has opened new conversations. DFI workshops and programmes like Qumra continue to nurture local and resident talent.”
Justin Kramer, director of Fahad the Furious and an industry veteran since DFI’s early years, stressed the importance of building from the ground up. “I believe in reinvesting in local filmmakers. Real industry growth starts at the grassroots level.”
For Maria Joseph, director of the comedy Is This a Sign?, creativity extended even to casting. “I was searching everywhere—I even found actors in supermarket aisles. My friends became my crew, and they were incredible.”
Reflecting on the collective momentum, Al-Ghanim said Qatar’s creative community is more unified than ever. “DFI supported my film, Film House supported it, Katara Studios supported it—the community is stronger than ever. I’m truly optimistic.”
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