The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has opened applications for its latest Filmmaking Lab, offering emerging filmmakers from the Middle East, North Africa and beyond the opportunity to develop their projects under the mentorship of acclaimed Cambodian-French director and Oscar nominee Rithy Panh.
The year-long programme will run from September 2026 to March 2027 and will focus on the role of memory, culture and identity in cinematic storytelling.
Designed for intermediate and advanced filmmakers, the lab is open to participants working on short films or debut feature projects across documentary, fiction and hybrid formats at different stages of development, production or early editing.
DFI said the programme aims to help filmmakers strengthen their creative voice by drawing on cultural memory, oral histories, community traditions and personal experiences. Participants will work closely with Panh through a combination of in-person workshops and online mentoring.
The programme begins with an intensive session in Doha from September 6 to 15, followed by virtual mentorship through December. Additional in-person sessions are scheduled for January and March 2027.
Applications will remain open until July 5, with the programme delivered in English. The participation fee is QR2,800.
Launched as part of DFI’s wider mission to support filmmakers in Qatar and the Arab world, the initiative seeks to nurture emerging talent while encouraging international collaboration. Since its establishment in 2010, the institute has backed more than 1,000 film projects and supported productions that have been showcased at leading international festivals.
Panh is internationally recognised for his documentary work exploring history, identity and resilience, including The Missing Picture, which earned an Academy Award nomination. DFI said participants will benefit from his experience in creating stories rooted in lived experiences and cultural heritage.
