The Doha Film Institute’s Qumra Arab Film Industry Incubator has been discontinued as a physical event and moved online in response to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war that has spread further into the Middle East, including Qatar.
Qatar has been repeatedly attacked by Iranian missiles and drones during the conflict as part of Tehran’s retaliation against the Gulf state, which hosts U.S. assets. Although the attack was thwarted, thousands of flights have been canceled at Doha’s Hamad International Airport since the conflict began on February 28.
“In light of recent developments in the region, we have made the difficult decision to hold this next edition of Qumra online to ensure the safety and health of our guests, projects and teams,” DFI said in a statement on Tuesday.
Qumra, which means “camera” in Arabic, combines elements of a creative workshop, collaborative market and festival.
The 12th edition of Qumra, scheduled to be held from March 27 to April 1 at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the Mushareb district in downtown Doha city, included Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Alice Diop, Fawzi Bensaidi and Gustavo Santaolalla, who were recruited to give master classes and mentor filmmakers. Around 200 international film executives are expected to travel to Doha for Qumra, with Palestinian author Elia Suleiman appointed as DFI’s artistic advisor.
The event date remains unchanged. This online format will primarily focus on private one-on-one mentorship sessions for approximately 50 selected DFI-backed film and television projects.
“While we are deeply saddened by the current situation, our unwavering commitment to providing meaningful interaction and guidance to selected projects through Qumra remains a priority,” the statement said.
A core element of the online Qumra program includes mentorship sessions for all selected projects. Series pitch presentation on March 30th. Opportunity to meet one-on-one with industry guests about projects of interest. From March 23rd to April 8th, festivals, sales and distribution companies will have access to a selection of feature and short films currently in post-production through Festivalscope.
DFI said selected Qumra projects will be announced soon.
Qumra’s 2025 edition will feature Iraqi director Hassan Hadi’s The President’s Cake, which won Cannes’ Camera d’Or and was shortlisted for the 2026 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
