Hamad International Airport and Doha Film Institute Launch ‘Made in Qatar’ Screening Hall

Hamad International Airport, in collaboration with Doha Film Institute, has launched the Film Screening Hall under the theme “Made in Qatar”, presenting a curated selection of short Qatari films in the airport’s Concourse D departures area.

The hall opened today and will remain open until 27 December, giving departing and transit travellers an opportunity to watch selected short films by Qatari directors and filmmakers. The programme offers travellers a window into Qatari society, its culture and traditions, and its contemporary perspectives.

The initiative forms part of the partnership between Hamad International Airport and Doha Film Institute, the independent cultural organisation that presents the Doha Film Festival. It also reflects the airport’s support for the festival as its official partner this year.

The partnership combines Doha Film Institute’s support for local cinema with the global reach offered by Hamad International Airport, giving filmmakers in Qatar an international platform on which to present their cinematic work.

For many international travellers, Hamad International Airport is their first point of introduction to Qatar, while for transit travellers it may be their only opportunity to experience the country. As a global travel gateway, the airport plays a vital cultural role in presenting Qatar’s identity, heritage and artistic creativity to an international audience of travellers.

Through the Film Screening Hall, travellers can develop a deeper understanding of Qatar’s artistic and creative landscape.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said every country has voices that deserve to be heard and that cinema’s role is to carry those voices to wider horizons far beyond the places where they originated. She said the partnership with Hamad International Airport is particularly significant because it takes Qatari stories to a space where travellers from around the world meet, allowing them to discover the people, cinematic perspectives and creative spirit that shape Qatar’s national identity through film.

Ali Darwish, Senior Manager of Airport Operations at Hamad International Airport, said during the opening ceremony that the airport was proud to serve as the official partner of this year’s Ajyal Film Festival. He said the airport’s role extends beyond serving as a passage between gates, as it seeks to turn travellers’ waiting time into a rich and enriching cultural experience and connect international audiences with authentic Qatari identities and voices through independent storytelling.

Abdulla Al Musallam, Chief Administrative Officer at Doha Film Institute, said cinema has a powerful ability to transcend geographical boundaries and connect people through shared human experiences. He noted that Doha Film Institute has long supported cinematic talent and expressed pride in presenting these stories through an exceptional global platform such as Hamad International Airport.

The Film Screening Hall provides an open and comfortable space where travellers can explore the selection of films according to the time available before their flights.

The programme, which guests watched during the opening ceremony, includes award-winning works such as Smicha by Amal Al-Muftah, winner of 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. The selection also features A Simple Cut by Maha Al-Jefairi, Above the Tamarind Tree by Buthyna Al-Mohammadi, Hope by Abdulla Mohammed Al-Janahi, Nasser & The Ticket by Tony El Ghazal, Emsahar by Hassan Al-Jahni, The Unlucky Hamster by Abdulaziz Khashabi, Al-Johara 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.

By incorporating the filmmakers and their stories into passengers’ journeys through the airport, the Made in Qatar Film Screening Hall connects travellers from around the world with Qatar’s creative talent, strengthens the presence of Qatari cinema and carries it to international audiences.

Source: QNA

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