Doha Film Institute Shares Qumra Projects Ahead of 2026 Virtual Edition Amid Ongoing Tensions with Iran
Doha Film Institute Announces 49 Projects for Qumra 2026, Moves Event Online Due to Conflict
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has unveiled the 49 projects selected for the 2026 edition of its annual Qumra meeting, shifting the event to an online format due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The incubator event will span from March 27 to April 8 and will support a diverse array of 49 projects, including 27 feature films, nine series, and 13 short films.
Highlighted among the feature narratives are Madness and Honey Days by Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji, known for his Venice-selected Oscar entry Hanging Gardens; Hamlet From The Slums by Ahmed Fawzi-Saleh, who brought forth Egypt’s 2020 Oscar entry Poisonous Roses; and Revolutionaries Never Die, a documentary from Palestinian director Mohanad Yaqubi.
Originally set to be held in Doha, the 12th edition of Qumra planned to feature notable figures such as Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Alice Diop, Faouzi Bensaïdi, and Gustavo Santaolalla as mentors offering masterclasses.
Qumra serves as one of the premier meetings for independent filmmakers and producers from across the Middle East and North Africa, and it also welcomes a select group of grantees from outside the region. The 2025 event included projects like The President’s Cake, which won Cannes’ Caméra d’Or and earned a spot on the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film Academy Award.
As the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict enters its 20th day, the heightened military tensions, including Iran’s missile and drone strikes on Gulf neighbors, necessitated the shift to an online format for this year’s meeting.
"While we are deeply saddened by the current circumstances in the region, the decision to present Qumra 2026 online reflects Qatar’s resilience and its enduring commitment to continuity, even in the face of significant challenges,” stated DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that filmmakers continue to benefit from meaningful exchanges, mentorship, and connections.
This year’s selected projects underscore the courage and ambition of contemporary filmmakers, each with urgent stories to share.
Qumra 2026 Projects Include:
Development – Feature Narrative
- Speak (Tunisia, France, Italy, Qatar) by Nejib Kthiri
- The Peacock Queen (Qatar) by Aisha Al-Jaidah & Kholoud Al-Ali
- The Guardian (Libya, Algeria, Canada, France, Qatar) by Muhannad Lamin
Development – Feature Documentary
- Where Do I Belong? (Sudan, Qatar) by Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad
- Onions to Forget the Past (Lebanon, France, Qatar) by Emilien Awada
Development – Short Narrative
- Reset (Qatar) by Dhoha Abdelsattar
- Sara’s Shoes (Iran, Qatar) by Fereshteh Parnian
Development – TV or Web Series
- Echoes (Lebanon, Qatar) by Marie-Rose Osta
- The Gate of Resurrection (Palestine, Qatar) by Firas Khoury
The upcoming Qumra serves as a platform for crucial narratives from the region, confirming the DFI’s commitment to fostering talent in the film industry amidst challenging circumstances.
