Doha: The Doha Film Institute reaffirmed the significant impact of the Doha Film Festival on audiences, filmmakers, and the broader creative sector, highlighting its role in amplifying important cinematic voices from around the world.
Speaking at a press conference held on the sidelines of the festival, Fatima Hassan Al Rumaihi, Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, stated that their ambitions for 2026 are clear, and they aim to deepen collaboration, expand audience reach, and create more opportunities for emerging talent from Qatar and the region.
She said that at the heart of their mission is a continued focus on authentic storytelling, meaningful dialogue, and experiences that bring people together.
Reflecting on the current edition, which concludes this Friday, Al Rumaihi noted that the 2025 festival exceeded expectations in terms of success and attendance. She added taht this was evident in the packed screening halls, vibrant cultural exchanges, and rich conversations that unfolded throughout the event.
She emphasized that the festival builds on a 15-year legacy of nurturing talent and fostering cultural dialogue, while also offering fresh perspectives and new opportunities.
She stressed that this is the next step in Qatar's cultural leadership journey, they are not here to compete, but to contribute, by creating opportunities that benefit not only the region but the global film community.
She explained that their strengths lie in their deep-rooted commitment to Arab voices, community ties, and their unwavering dedication to authentic storytelling. These pillars will continue to guide them.
Al Rumaihi also underscored the central role of collaboration in the Institute's strategy stating that they work with other festivals to broaden access for filmmakers to more screens, audiences, and partners.
She pointed out that the impact of the Ajyal Film Festival will continue year-round through the Ajyal Film Club, school initiatives, and the Ajyal competition within the Doha Film Festival, ensuring that youth voices remain at the core of the Institute's mission.
Looking ahead, she added, they will continue to strengthen inter-festival collaboration and shared evaluation programs to support regional voices and those from the Global South.
Concluding her remarks, Al Rumaihi commented that they don't seek excellence for its own sake, their work speaks through authentic films, thoughtful programming, and a system that helps talent thrive.
This, she added, is their identity. With the support and feedback of their community, they aim to make 2026 even more ambitious, reaching new audiences, fostering deeper collaboration, and telling stories that transcend borders.
In a related statement, Head of Administration at the Doha Film Institute Abdullah Al Musallam noted the significant expansion of the festival's community-focused programs.
He saed that the Geekdom event alone welcomed over 7,000 visitors, reflecting their commitment to creative communities across film, gaming, comics, design, and music.
He added that they are focused on strengthening collaboration with content creators, game developers, illustrators, and writers, while expanding year-round training workshops.
