Hamad International Airport (HIA), in collaboration with Doha Film Institute (DFI), has launched a ‘Made in Qatar’ Screening Room in Concourse D, showcasing short films by Qatari directors and filmmakers to international travellers.
Running from 8
November to 27 December 2026, the initiative aims to introduce departing and
transit passengers to Qatar's culture, heritage and contemporary perspectives
through a curated selection of locally produced films.
The Screening Room
forms part of HIA's collaboration with DFI, Qatar's leading cultural
organisation and organiser of the Doha Film Festival, for which the airport
serves as the official Airport Partner. The partnership combines DFI's support
for local filmmaking with HIA's international passenger network, providing
Qatari filmmakers with a platform to reach global audiences.
The initiative also
reflects the airport's role as an international gateway to Qatar, offering
visitors an opportunity to discover the country's cultural identity and
creative community, including those whose journeys do not extend beyond the
airport.
Fatma Hassan
Alremaihi, Chief Operating Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: “Every country
has voices that deserve to be heard, and cinema amplifies these voices far
beyond the places where they begin. This partnership with Hamad International
Airport is particularly meaningful as we are bringing Qatar’s stories into a
space where the world connects not only in travel but to explore artistic
masterpieces for memorable immersive experiences. We look forward to welcoming
travellers from every corner of the world to discover the people, perspectives
and creative spirit that shape our nation through these films.”
Showcasing
Award-Winning Qatari Films
Designed as a
welcoming walk-in space, the Screening Room allows passengers to explore the
film programme at their convenience.
The selection includes
several award-recognised productions, among them Smicha by Amal
Al-Muftah, which won the Best Narrative Award in the Made in Qatar competition,
and Gubgub by Nouf Al Sulaiti, whose lead performer received the
Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance.
Other featured films
include A Simple Cut by Maha Al-Jefairi, Above The Tamarind Tree
by Buthyna Al-Mohammadi, Hope by Abdulla Al-Janahi and Nasser &
The Ticket by Tony El Ghazal.
The programme also
features Emsahar by Hassan Al-Jahni, The Unlucky Hamster by
Abdulaziz Khashabi, Aljohara by Nora Al-Subai and Land Of Pearls
by Mohammed Al Ibrahim.
Together, the short
films explore themes including family, identity, tradition, imagination and
everyday life in Qatar, offering international audiences different perspectives
on the country's society and cultural heritage.
Promoting Qatar's
Creative Industry
By integrating local
cinema into the airport experience, HIA and DFI aim to extend the international
reach of Qatari filmmaking and provide greater visibility for homegrown
creative talent.
The initiative also
highlights the role of cultural partnerships in connecting international
travellers with local artistic communities, transforming the airport
environment into a platform for cultural exchange.
Through the ‘Made in Qatar’ Screening Room, passengers travelling through Doha can discover the country's stories and creative perspectives as part of their airport journey. -TradeArabia News Service