Qatar

“The launch of the Qatar Screen Production Incentive Programme reflects our long-term commitment to developing a creative economy that blends cultural authenticity with global ambition,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, chairman of the Film Committee at Media City Qatar.

“Qatar is open for business to filmmakers and storytellers in the country, the region, the Global South and the rest of the world. We are offering infrastructure, talent, and incentives to bring extraordinary stories to life.

“This project will complement what already exists. We will listen to the industry needs and develop a robust and transparent rebate programme which best serves it. Our ambition is to build an environment where the best local and regional talent can be developed, to produce authentic stories that reflect our culture with audiences worldwide.”

Barbara Broccoli’s Eon Productions has lined up its first post-James Bond project, a new version of Shakespeare’s Othello directed by and starring David Oyelowo.

The film will shoot in Qatar in autumn 2026. Oyelowo will reprise the title role that he played on stage in New York in 2016, alongside Rachel Brosnahan, reprising the role of Desdemona, and Cynthia Erivo as Emilia.

In terms of recent productions to have taken place in Qatar, the most high-profile is the feature film Black Gold. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Name of the Rose, Seven Years in Tibet), the film used Tunisia and Qatar as key locations. In the case of Qatar, the main filming occurred in the desert at Mesaieed – which is about 40km outside the capital Doha.

As mentioned in the introduction, the DFI was involved in the film as a financial partner. It is looking at significantly ramping up its filmmaking activities so is well worth contacting some of the UAE’s leading film and commercials producers have also identified Qatar as an opportunity for growth. Examples are Dubai-based Central Films and Filmworks. The latter now has a JV in Qatar with the well-established local firm DTM. Explaining its interest, Filmworks says: “Qatar boasts the largest per capita production and the highest GDP per capita in the world with the largest amounts of exports in terms of liquefied natural gas, oil, petrochemicals and related industries. It is a flourishing country with new needs to be served by a safe, professional, and state of the art film industry.”

There’ve been some unusual one-off projects in Qatar too, such as musician Kanye West shooting a video in Doha.

To facilitate permits, talking to the DFI, and experienced players like Filmworks, DTM or Central Films, the Ministry of Information or the embassy in your own country is key. As the country readies itself to welcome international productions, the framework for accessing permits will become smoother but working with a local production partner is key.

Qatar provides diverse locations, from its traditional souks to the golden sand dunes that reach down to the Arabian Gulf. Its carved antique doors, intricately designed mosque minarets, hand-woven rugs and brass-studded swords are a must for any location recce.

It’s not only traditional Islamic/Bedouin sights and deserts that attract interest from producers however. Doha is also a futuristic capital city with potential to be used as the backdrop for car or finance ads. It has modern architecture, off-shore developments, state of the art sports facilities and world class educational establishments. High-profile sites include the Aspire Dome and the Qatar Science and Technology Park.

The country also has an attractive coastline that is pretty easy to get to from Doha. While there haven’t been many examples yet, it’s possible that some of Qatar’s more pristine beaches could be used to double for other tropical spots if necessary (though it’s probably not the cheapest way of doing this).

Qatar is keen to develop its film and TV capabilities, but crews and equipment still tend to come over Dubai and there is limited studio capacity within the country. That said, there are a few key companies operating locally. DTM is one of the best known and has been active since 2002.

DFI Productions, the production arm of the Doha Film Institute, calls itself “a full-service company offering creative development, production, post-production, edit suite rentals, media duplications, transfers, equipment rentals. While focusing on creating content to the highest international standard, DFIP strives to incorporate education and training opportunities for local aspiring filmmakers where possible.”