The Doha Film Institute has recruited Mexican multi-hyphenates Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, Venice prizewinner Alice Diop, Moroccan auteur Faouzi Bensaïdi, and Oscar-winning composer and producer Gustavo Santaolalla to hold onstage conversations and act as mentors during its upcoming Qumra Arab industry incubator.
Qumra, which means “camera” in Arabic, blends together a creative workshop, co-production market and festival elements. It was established by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) to help foster first and second works, mostly by Arab directors, and to create curated networking opportunities between the Arab and international film communities.
The DFI is a major indie Arab film industry driver and has also been providing funding for Arab TV series for the past few years. Qumra 2026 will feature a selection of top notch Arab films in various stages, as well as some TV projects.
DFI-supported films screening at the Berlinale this year include Franco-Lebanese director Danielle Arbid’s Panorama section opener “Only Rebels Win,” starring Hiam Abbas (“Succession”); Palestinian Syrian filmmaker Abdallah Alkhatib’s “Chronicles from the Siege, in Perspectives; and Egyptian psychological thriller “Safe Exit” by Mohammed Hammad.
“Qumra was created to ensure that emerging filmmakers are not only supported, but truly seen —artistically, professionally and globally,” said DFI Ceo Fatma Hassan Alremaihi in a statement. “Welcoming these luminaries as our 2026 Qumra Masters reflects our belief that generous mentorship can change creative trajectories,” she added.
DFI artistic advisor Elia Suleiman – the Palestinian auteur known for movies such as “Divine Intervention,” “The Time That Remains” and, most recently, “It Must Be Heaven” that premiered at Cannes in 2019 – pointed out in an interview with Variety that Gael García Bernal is returning to Qumra having been a master during the event’s very first edition. He also noted that both García Bernal and Luna wear different hats, since they are actors, directors and also producers. “It’s quite interesting to have people who know more than one [industry] role,” Suleiman said.
The unique event, now celebrating its 12th edition, will run March 27-April 1 in the Qatari capital of Doha.