The Doha Film Institute, which drives Qatar’s moviemaking ambitions, has come a long way over the past 15 years under the leadership of Fatma Hassan Alremaihi.
Just as the tiny Arab state, rich in oil and gas, diversifies from the energy sector into cultural and media and entertainment — as attested by broadcaster Al Jazeera and the 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament — the DFI has steadily grown into a crucial cornerstone of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region film industry.
Born and raised in Doha, Alremaihi graduated from Qatar University with a degree in English literature. She has been part of the DFI’s team since joining in 2009 as an advisor to the first edition of the now-scrapped Doha Tribeca Film Festival. A mother of four, she was subsequently instrumental in launching the Ajyal Film Festival for children involving hundreds of kids as jurors, as well as its Qumra event, dedicated to supporting and shepherding first and second works mostly by Arab directors. Alremaihi has also led the effort behind turning the DFI’s year-round film funding initiatives into the region’s pre-eminent indie industry driver.
More recently, Alremaihi has spearheaded the launch of the upcoming Doha Film Festival, which will run Nov. 20-28 and transform the Ajyal fest into a more ambitious international event for a broader audience.
Alremaihi – who will be honored during the Venice Film Festival with Variety’s 2025 Achievement in International Film Award – talked about her vision behind the DFI and the launch of the Doha Film Festival, which she calls “the next step in Qatar’s journey of cultural leadership.”
As DFI celebrates 15 years, what do you consider to be the main milestones?
Over the past 15 years, DFI has helped usher in a golden age for Arab cinema. We’ve supported over 950 films from 75 countries, earning 1,600 festival selections and over 600 awards, including 10 Oscar nominations.
DFI has been a catalyst in developing a thriving and sustainable film industry in the broader Middle East region and beyond, championing important films and contributing to a more nuanced global storytelling landscape.
But more importantly, we’ve amplified stories that reflect the richness, complexity and truth of underrepresented voices — stories that might never have found their place on the global stage without this support. We’ve created a comprehensive ecosystem for filmmakers, championed new voices and remained committed to cinema as a powerful form of cultural expression and dialogue.
How is the DFI’s effort to foster filmmaking from Qatar bearing fruit?
DFI takes a sustainable approach to create compelling original content in Qatar that will further enhance development of the creative industries and position our talent alongside their global peers.
Qatar’s film industry has shown remarkable growth, with nearly 60% of emerging filmmakers being talented young women, who are changing the face of modern cinema, and Qatari stories are now reaching audiences at festivals across the globe. What’s most inspiring is seeing young Qatari filmmakers — particularly women — present their work globally with confidence and clarity.
What makes their achievements special is that they represent more than just individual success stories — they are helping shift global perceptions about our region. Our focus has always been on nurturing a sustainable, creative ecosystem where everyone can thrive, providing equal opportunities that allow talent to naturally rise.
Are there some DFI-supported films that you are particularly proud of?
It’s impossible to choose — every film we support, from shorts to features, matters deeply to us. Each project contributes to a more balanced and inclusive global film landscape and will impact our societies for years to come.
We believe in championing stories that explore overlooked perspectives — whether they come from Qatar, the Arab world or beyond. For us, success is not just in the awards, but in giving a platform to voices that reflect the diversity of human experience and challenge dominant narratives that often define global cinema.
What role does Qumra play in this effort?
Qumra is a rare platform globally dedicated to supporting first- and second-time filmmakers with direct access to global film experts and cinema luminaries. It connects DFI’s local, regional and international grantees and co-financed projects, and year-round education and development participants to leading industry professionals and cinema masters to boost the life cycle of film projects towards success.
As the most important talent platform for Arab cinema, Qumra brings together elements of a talent lab and workshop, a traditional film festival and creative mentorship, offering a springboard for Arab and international projects. To date, it’s supported over 265 feature films, 106 shorts and 42 series — many of which have gone on to screen at top festivals worldwide. Qumra maintains its strong commitment to nurturing local talent to drive sustainable growth by providing the opportunity to grow and learn from seasoned professionals who can significantly influence the outcome of their projects.
It serves as a comprehensive platform, championing the regional film industry and representing Qatar’s role in empowering a new generation of film professionals. The real strength of Qumra lies in its ongoing impact: long-term industry relationships, global exposure and a growing creative network dedicated to elevating bold new voices.
What prompted you and the DFI team to reconceive Ajyal?
As Qatar’s cultural presence expands and the regional film landscape matures, we saw an opportunity to elevate our festival offering. Doha Film Festival (DFF) builds on Ajyal’s success but introduces broader industry engagement, global programming and new pathways for cultural exchange.
It’s an evolution of DFI and Qatar’s cinematic journey, not a departure. DFF allows us to better serve both the creative community and our audiences, while maintaining our core mission of supporting authentic storytelling and fostering cultural understanding.
It will continue to be a vital platform for self-expression, empowering creatives from across the region and beyond, nurturing regional talent and amplifying important voices that might otherwise remain unheard to further enrich the global film landscape. It is the next step in Qatar’s journey of cultural leadership, creating opportunities for dialogue that will benefit not just our region but the entire global film community.
What is the basic difference between Ajyal and the reconceived Doha Film Festival?
Ajyal was centered on youth engagement and community. DFF takes that spirit forward but expands it —becoming a global stage for cinema that bridges artistry, education and industry.
It introduces official competitions, international juries and broader programming, while still nurturing the same values of self-expression, cross-cultural dialogue and purpose-driven storytelling.
This evolution reflects who we’ve become. Ajyal laid the groundwork for a deeply engaged film culture. DFF amplifies that spirit on a larger scale in harmony with DFI’s mission of supporting authentic storytelling, inspiring new perspectives and fostering cultural understanding.
How is the Doha Film Festival going to complement what the DFI does in an organic manner?
DFF is the next chapter in DFI’s mission to amplify unheard voices, foster cultural dialogue and spotlight Arab cinema on the global stage. DFF represents the progress of Qatar’s film ecosystem. It brings international talent to Qatar, showcases our stories, and creates meaningful platforms for new voices to emerge.
We are creating an environment where Arab cinema can flourish and reach global audiences with our distinctive voice. With its blend of innovation, authenticity and ambition, DFF strengthens Qatar’s role as a cultural leader and reinforces DFI’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of cinema in the region and beyond.
