Doha, Qatar – The official launch of the Film Committee at Media City Qatar, coinciding with the inaugural Doha Film Festival 2025, signals a significant push to establish Qatar as a leading destination for film production and a major player in the global entertainment industry. The committee’s launch, announced today, promises enhanced infrastructure, financial incentives, and collaborative opportunities for filmmakers both within the region and internationally. This development aims to bolster the creative economy and promote Qatar as a vibrant hub for storytelling.
The initiative was unveiled during the opening of Industry Days at the festival, attended by high-ranking Qatari officials including HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and HE Lolwah Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education. DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi opened the event, and HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Chairman of the Film Committee, formally inaugurated the Industry Days, bringing together key figures from cinema, media, and technology.
Boosting Qatar’s Film Industry with New Initiatives
The establishment of the Film Committee is a direct response to Qatar’s strategic vision for diversifying its economy and fostering a thriving cultural sector. According to statements from the committee, the goal is to attract international film and television projects while simultaneously nurturing local talent and production capabilities. This includes fostering co-productions with countries in the Arab world and the Global South.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the newly announced Qatar Screen Production Incentive (QSPI) program. This program offers a substantial cash rebate of up to 50 percent on qualifying local production expenditure. The rebate is structured with a 40 percent base, potentially increased by an additional 10 percent for projects that actively contribute to industry development through initiatives like hiring Qatari crew, providing local training, and showcasing Qatari culture.
Expanding Regional Collaboration
The QSPI extends its reach beyond Qatar’s borders, aiming to stimulate media production throughout the wider region. Productions can qualify for the rebate even if a portion of their filming takes place in neighboring Arab countries, with up to 25 percent of the project’s total qualifying expenditure eligible for reimbursement if incurred in a selected partner nation. This approach is designed to create a collaborative ecosystem and leverage existing resources across the Arab world.
This regional focus aligns with Qatar’s broader efforts to strengthen cultural ties and promote economic integration within the Middle East. The initiative is expected to attract projects that might otherwise be filmed in more established, but potentially more expensive, locations. The Doha Film Institute has long been a supporter of regional cinema, and this collaboration with the Film Committee builds on that foundation.
HE Hassan Al Thawadi emphasized that the launch of the Film Committee represents a “new chapter” for Qatar’s creative economy, highlighting the country’s unique geographical position and existing infrastructure. He stated that Qatar is “opening its doors to the future of film” through a combination of investment, incentives, and partnerships. The committee also plans to unveil several international co-production slates and financing vehicles in the coming months.
The launch of the Film Committee and the QSPI program are part of a larger trend of investment in the entertainment industry across the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia, for example, has also announced ambitious plans to develop its own film sector, creating a competitive landscape for attracting international productions. However, Qatar’s focus on co-production and regional collaboration differentiates its approach.
Further details regarding the specific criteria and application process for the QSPI program are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Industry stakeholders will be closely watching the program’s implementation and its impact on attracting both domestic and international film projects to Qatar. The success of the initiative will likely depend on its administrative efficiency and its ability to deliver on the promised rebates.
The next step involves finalizing the operational guidelines for the QSPI and actively marketing Qatar as a viable and attractive location for film and television production. The committee will also be working to establish partnerships with international production companies and distributors. The long-term impact of these initiatives on Qatar’s creative economy remains to be seen, but the initial response from the industry has been positive.
