H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Managing Director of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Chairman of the Film Committee at Media City Qatar, highlighted the country’s initiatives to bolster the regional film industry during the recent CNN Global Perspectives summit held in Doha. The event, hosted in partnership with Media City Qatar and led by CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Sir Mark Thompson, gathered global leaders and decision-makers to explore the Gulf’s expanding influence in economic growth, technological innovation, and cultural development.
In a conversation with CNN International anchor Becky Anderson, Al Thawadi outlined the Film Committee’s strategic role in establishing Qatar as a competitive hub for filmmakers and storytellers within the Arab world. He emphasized the committee’s goal to foster an ecosystem that attracts international productions, nurtures local talent, and amplifies regional narratives on the global stage.
“The Film Committee aims to help build a globally competitive ecosystem that can attract international productions, support local talent and ensure that stories from our region reach global audiences,” Al Thawadi said. He described efforts underway to enhance production capabilities, facilitate international partnerships, accelerate investment, and create a business framework to sustain industry growth. These initiatives involve collaboration with key national stakeholders such as the Doha Film Institute and Media City Qatar, as well as international partners.
Al Thawadi noted Qatar’s existing exposure to world-class filmmaking and industry networks and stressed the importance of leveraging collaborations to transfer knowledge and connect global companies with the local creative sector. “The world is looking for authentic voices and fresh perspectives. No one can tell our stories better than we can,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels between his experience overseeing the 2022 FIFA World Cup and developing Qatar’s film industry, Al Thawadi highlighted the shared capacity of both endeavors to unite people and reshape perceptions. He explained that the World Cup aimed to broaden representation and bring underrepresented perspectives to a global audience—an objective that film can similarly achieve.
He also pointed to the lasting legacy of Qatar 2022, which strengthened national capabilities, institutional frameworks, and infrastructure. “The World Cup fundamentally changed what people know about Qatar. It demonstrated that we can deliver at the highest level and manage complex global projects successfully. That journey is continuing, whether it’s through football, motorsport or entertainment,” Al Thawadi said. He emphasized the ongoing focus on building a vibrant ecosystem to empower a new generation of Arab storytellers.
Since its establishment in 2025, the Film Committee has supported several internationally acclaimed projects, including *The Voice of Hind Rajab*, nominated for Best International Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards; *Paper Tiger*, which premiered to standing ovations in competition at Cannes in 2026; and *Saoud Wainah*, recognized as Qatar’s first feature film. The committee’s activities reflect Qatar’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional leader in cinema and creative industries.