Doha, Qatar – Liwan Design Studios and Labs will present “The Set: Design for Screen,” a two-day event exploring the crucial, often overlooked role of design in film. The weekend program, running January 23-24, 2026, aims to bridge the gap between filmmaking and design disciplines, offering screenings, discussions, and exhibitions. Curated by visual artist and screenwriter Luciana Ceccatto Farah, the event is a collaboration with key institutions in Qatar’s creative landscape.
The event will be held at Liwan Design Studios and Labs in Doha, with partnerships extending to the Doha Film Institute (DFI), Katara Studios, The Film House, and the Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam. “The Set” seeks to demonstrate how design elements contribute to cinematic storytelling, from the initial concept to the final product. Admission is free, but advance registration is required through the Liwan website.
The Power of Design for Film
While audiences primarily focus on actors and plot, the creation of a compelling cinematic experience relies heavily on meticulous design work. This includes set construction, costume design, color grading, sound design, and even the selection of props. These elements work in concert to build believable and immersive worlds for viewers, shaping their emotional response and understanding of the narrative.
Aisha bint Nasser Al Sowaidi, Director of Liwan Design Studios and Labs, stated that the program reflects Liwan’s dedication to recognizing design as a fundamental component of storytelling. She emphasized the importance of bringing together designers and filmmakers to highlight the “invisible labor” that goes into creating cinema. This focus on process aims to foster a greater appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Exploring the Creative Pipeline
The event will feature curated screenings of primarily short films, used as case studies to illustrate how specific design choices function as narrative devices. These screenings will be followed by panel discussions with department heads and creatives, delving into the technical aspects and creative problem-solving involved in bringing a film’s vision to life. The discussions will move beyond superficial appreciation to examine the mechanics of storytelling through a design lens.
Luciana Ceccatto Farah highlighted the extensive collaboration between filmmakers and designers throughout all stages of a film project. From initial development and pre-production to production, post-production, and marketing, designers contribute significantly to the overall success of a film. This collaborative spirit is a central theme of “The Set.”
An Archival Look at Cinematic Worlds
Beyond screenings and discussions, “The Set” will include an exhibition component designed to showcase the creative process itself. Rather than displaying only finished products, the exhibition will feature early screenplays, sketches, models, prototypes, and material tests. This approach aims to reveal how cinematic universes evolve over time, long before they appear on screen. Qatar Museums’ Media Collection will contribute to this exploration.
A featured exhibition, “Cleopatra: A Stereotype in Technicolour,” will draw on materials from the Qatar Museums Media Collection to analyze the visual and cultural construction of the iconic 1963 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The exhibition will present original visual blueprints and archival materials, offering a study in cinematic spectacle and the manufacturing of historical narratives. This exploration of film history provides a unique perspective on the power of visual storytelling.
The event is intended for a broad audience, including film enthusiasts, designers, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of art and technology. The program’s focus on design thinking and its application to filmmaking offers valuable insights for aspiring creatives in both fields.
Looking ahead, organizers will assess the feedback from attendees to inform future programming at Liwan Design Studios and Labs. The success of “The Set” could lead to similar events exploring other facets of design and its impact on various creative industries. Further announcements regarding potential follow-up initiatives are expected in the spring of 2026.
