The Doha Film Institute, which animates the ambitions of the creation of Qatar, has traveled a long way in the last 15 years under the direction of Fatma Hassan Alremaihi.
Like the tiny Arabic state, rich in oil and gas, is diversifying from the energy sector to culture and media and entertainment – as attested by the broadcaster Al Jazeera and the FIFA World Cup football tournament 2022 – The DFI has regularly become the crucial film industry of the Cinematographic Industry of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Born and raised in Doha, Alremaihi graduated from the University of Qatar with a diploma in English literature. She has been part of the DFI team since her participation in 2009 as an advisor to the first edition of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, now draped. A mother of four, she then played a decisive role in launching the Ajyal film festival for children involving hundreds of children as jurors, as well as her QUMRA event, dedicated to support and first works of first and second works mainly by Arab directors. Alremaihi also led the effort behind the transformation of DFI cinema financing initiatives throughout the year into a pre -eminent pilot of independent industry in the region.
More recently, Alremaihi has led the launch of the next Doha Film Festival, which will take place from November 20 to 28 and will transform the Ajyal party into a more ambitious international event for a wider audience.
Alremaihi – which will be honored at the Venice Film Festival with VarietyThe prize for the production in 2025 in the international film – spoke of her vision behind the DFI and the launch of the Doha Film Festival, which she calls “the next step in the journey of cultural leaders of Qatar”.
While the DFI celebrates 15 years, what are they considered to be the main milestones?
Over the past 15 years, DFI has helped inaugurate a golden age for Arab cinema. We have supported more than 950 films from 75 countries, winning 1,600 festival selections and more than 600 prices, including 10 Oscar nominations.
DFI was a catalyst in the development of a prosperous and sustainable film industry in the wider region of the Middle East and beyond, defending important films and contributing to a more nuanced global narration landscape.
But more importantly, we have amplified stories that reflect the richness, complexity and truth of under -represented voices – stories that would never have found their place on the world scene without this support. We have created a full ecosystem for filmmakers, defended from new voices and remained attached to the cinema as a powerful form of cultural expression and dialogue.
How does DFI efforts to promote Qatar cinema bearing fruit?
DFI adopts a sustainable approach to create original convincing content in Qatar which will further improve the development of creative industries and position our talent alongside their global peers.
Qatar’s film industry has shown remarkable growth, with almost 60% of emerging filmmakers being talented young women, who change the face of modern cinema, and Qatarian stories now reach the public during festivals around the world. What is most inspiring is to see the young Qatari filmmakers – in particular women – present their work on a global scale with confidence and clarity.
What makes their achievements special is that they represent more than individual success stories – they help move the global perceptions of our region. Our goal has always been to feed a lasting and creative ecosystem where everyone can prosper, offering equal chances that allow talents to increase naturally.
Are there films supported by the DFI of which you are particularly proud?
It is impossible to choose – each film we support, from shorts to functionalities, deepens us deeply. Each project contributes to a more balanced and more inclusive global landscape and will have an impact on our companies for the years to come.
We believe in the defense of stories that explore neglected perspectives – whether they come from Qatar, from the Arab world or beyond. For us, success is not only in prices, but by giving a platform to the voices that reflect the diversity of human experience and challenge the dominant stories that often define world cinema.
What role does Qumra play in this effort?
Qumra is a rare platform worldwide to support filmmakers of first and second time with direct access to experts in world cinema and cinematographic lights. It connects the local, regional and international beneficiaries of DFI and the co -financed projects, as well as the participants in education and development all year round to leading professionals and in cinema masters to strengthen the life cycle of cinematographic projects to success.
As the most important talent platform for Arabic cinema, Qumra brings together elements of a talent laboratory and a workshop, a traditional film festival and creative mentoring, offering a springboard for Arab and international projects. To date, it is taken care of more than 265 feature films, 106 shorts and 42 series – many of which have continued to project into the best festivals in the world. Qumra maintains his strong commitment to nourish local talents to stimulate sustainable growth by offering the possibility of growing up and learning experienced professionals who can considerably influence the result of their projects.
It serves as a complete platform, defending the regional film industry and representing the role of Qatar in the empowerment of a new generation of cinema professionals. Qumra’s true strength lies in its continuous impact: industry’s long -term relationships, world exhibition and an increasing creative network dedicated to raising new daring voices.
What pushed you to you and the DFI team to reconstruct yourself Ajyal?
While the cultural presence of Qatar is developing and the landscape of the regional film matures, we have seen an opportunity to raise our festival offer. The Doha Film Festival (DFF) is based on the success of Ajyal, but introduces a broader commitment to industry, global programming and new cultural exchange paths.
It is an evolution of the cinematographic journey of the DFI and the Qatar, not a departure. The DFF allows us to better serve both the creative community and our audience, while maintaining our main mission to support authentic narration and to promote cultural understanding.
It will continue to be a vital platform for self-expression, empowering the creatives of the whole region and beyond, nourishing regional talents and amplifying important voices which could otherwise remain unknown to further enrich the landscape of the world film. This is the next stage of the Qatar cultural leadership journey, creating dialogue opportunities that will not only benefit our region, but the entire world film community.
What is the fundamental difference between Ajyal and the Doha Film Festival Reconcended?
Ajyal was focused on the commitment of young people and the community. DFF advances this spirit but widens it – presenting itself a global stage for cinema which links artistic talent, education and industry.
He presents official competitions, international juries and a broader programming, while nourishing the same values of self -expression, intercultural dialogue and narration focused on the objective.
This evolution reflects which we have become. Ajyal laid the foundations for a deeply committed cinematographic culture. DFF amplifies this spirit on a larger scale in harmony with DFI’s mission to support authentic narration, inspiring new perspectives and promote cultural understanding.
How will the Doha Film Festival complete what the DFI does in a organic way?
DFF is the next chapter of DFI’s mission to amplify incredible voices, promote cultural dialogue and highlight Arabic cinema on the world scene. DFF represents the progress of Qatar’s film ecosystem. It brings international talent to Qatar, highlights our stories and creates significant platforms for new voices to emerge.
We create an environment where Arab cinema can flourish and reach the world public with our distinctive voice. With its mixture of innovation, authenticity and ambition, DFF strengthens the role of Qatar as a cultural leader and strengthens DFI’s continuous commitment to shape the future of cinema in the region and beyond.
