The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has awarded grants to 48 film projects from 39 countries as part of its Spring 2026 funding cycle, reaffirming its commitment to supporting independent filmmaking in Qatar, the Middle East and beyond.
The selected projects include works by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers, alongside emerging and established directors from across the MENA region and the international film community.
The institute’s biannual grants programme supports first- and second-time filmmakers worldwide, while also providing post-production funding for established directors from the region.
This year’s recipients represent countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas, with projects spanning feature films, documentaries, short films, television series, web series and experimental productions.
DFI Chief Executive Officer Fatma Alremaihi said culture remains a powerful force for preserving identity and connecting communities, adding that the selected filmmakers represent the next generation of storytellers whose work will help document the present and shape the future.
Several Qatari productions received support across development, production and post-production categories, including feature films, documentaries and short narratives by local filmmakers. The programme also backed a number of international co-productions involving Qatar.
DFI said the latest grants reflect its continued efforts to promote independent cinema, encourage cross-border collaboration and strengthen Qatar’s position as a regional and international centre for filmmaking and creative storytelling.
