Author: Niyas Aboobacker

Media City Qatar, in collaboration with Doha Film Institute (DFI) and SCALE7, successfully completed the Geekend Game Jam 2024, a pivotal event fostering local gaming talent and innovation. The four-day challenge, held from November 20 to 23 at the Geekdom Building on Lusail Boulevard, showcased the creativity and skills of video game developers and enthusiasts from across Qatar, marking a major milestone for the country’s burgeoning gaming industry.

The Geekend Game Jam, part of Ajyal 2024’s popular Geekend event, brought together over a dozen participants, including aspiring and established game developers, for a unique opportunity to create original games within a limited timeframe under the theme of “Transformation.” Attendees had the flexibility to work individually or in teams of up to three, fostering collaboration and creativity. Each project was evaluated by an expert jury based on creativity, technical execution, and adherence to the theme, highlighting the participants’ diverse skill sets and innovative ideas.

The event concluded with top-performing team, “Markaba”, led by Usama and Alony Hamed, honored for their innovative contributions, with prizes totaling QAR 40,000. The coveted Game Launcher Package, presented by SCALE7, awarded QAR 25,000 in cash, while the Game Start-up Package, sponsored by Geekdom and Media City Qatar, offered QAR 15,000 along with a subsidized start-up package designed to help recipients establish themselves as professional game developers in Qatar. The winning team is also given priority consideration for the SCALE7 Business Incubation Program, a 12-week initiative providing mentorship, workshops, and resources for new entrepreneurs.

Thair Al Anani, Director of Business Development at Media City Qatar, remarked, “The Geekend Game Jam is a testament to Media City Qatar’s commitment to fostering innovation within our digital media landscape and empowering the next generation of creators. By supporting our youth in bringing their creative visions to life, Media City Qatar is actively contributing to the growth of a dynamic gaming sector that aligns with the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Abdulla Al Mosallam, Chief Administrative Officer of DFI and Founder of Geekdom, shared his excitement, stating, “Geekend Game Jam has established a vital platform for our creative community, empowering developers to experiment, learn, and bring bold ideas to life. At Doha Film Institute, we are committed to nurturing this spirit of innovation, which is essential for building a dynamic and sustainable gaming industry in Qatar.”

This year’s Game Jam exemplifies Media City Qatar’s mission to advance Qatar’s digital media landscape, particularly within the gaming sector. Through its continued support of initiatives like the Geekend Game Jam, Media City Qatar is positioning the country as a regional leader in digital media and gaming, empowering local talent to contribute to a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.

Media City Qatar has partnered with Ooredoo Qatar in a strategic collaboration for GSMA M360 MENA 2024 event, taking place from November 18-19 at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. Held under the patronage and esteemed attendance of His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Qatar, Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, this landmark event—the first M360 series held in Qatar—is attracting C-suite executives, policymakers, and technology leaders from across the MENA region.

At the event, Media City Qatar has a prominent presence, underscoring its commitment to supporting media tech companies, broadcasters, and diverse formats. This hub highlights Media City Qatar's role as a central player in both traditional and digital sectors, including technology and communications. A booth is also facilitating discussions on how Media City Qatar can support media companies, startups, and professionals from Qatar, the region, and beyond, promoting innovation and collaboration with the country's expanding ecosystem.

"Partnering with Ooredoo for GSMA M360 MENA 2024 aligns with our vision to position Qatar at the forefront of digital transformation in the media and technology sectors," stated Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, Chief Executive Officer of Media City Qatar. "Through our presence at this event, we aim to demonstrate how Media City Qatar can open doors for and empower both local and international business leaders, offering them unparalleled access to resources, opportunities, and a robust environment to accelerate their business growth in this industry."

Ooredoo Qatar’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Bin Mohammad Al Thani, said: "Our partnership with Media City Qatar for GSMA M360 MENA 2024 reflects our shared commitment to establishing Qatar as a regional digital and media powerhouse. This collaboration enhances the event by uniting leading minds in media, technology, and digital transformation, helping to set the stage for innovative partnerships that will drive sustainable growth and accelerate Qatar's role as a hub for global connectivity and media innovation."

Through this partnership for the first-ever Doha edition, Media City Qatar and Ooredoo Qatar demonstrate a shared commitment to positioning Qatar as a key player in global industries, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and sustainable development across the region and beyond.

Presented by the GSMA, M360 is a series of international events that unify the mobile ecosystem. The events aim to discover, develop and deliver innovation that serves as the foundation for positive business environments and societal change. Through inspirational keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions and insightful case studies across mobile technology, senior executives from mobile and adjacent industries come to learn and discuss in detail their challenges and successes, as well as network with peers.

Media City Qatar proudly supported the second edition of the Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum as the Media Partner, held from November 15-16, 2024. Organized by the Youth Entrepreneurship Club (YEC), the forum brought together young entrepreneurs from various sectors within the media industry, offering them a platform to enhance their skills, network, and embrace innovative ideas.

Over the two-day event, participants engaged in workshops and interactive sessions that encouraged them to adopt new media technologies and trends. They also had opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders, gaining valuable mentorship and insights into the evolving media landscape. The partnership underscored its commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the media sector.

By partnering with YEC, Media City Qatar continues to promote creativity and media innovation, further positioning Qatar as a leading hub for the creative industries.

The Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum is organized in cooperation with Qatar Chamber and The Ministry of Sports and Youth, with the participation of 40 other companies and media partners.

Media City Qatar participates at Web Summit 2024, as part of Qatar’s delegation, held in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 11-14, 2024. This strategic presence underscores Qatar’s ambitions to attract global tech leaders and foster a business-friendly environment in Doha, supporting the city’s emergence as a leading destination for digital media and technology innovation companies, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.

During the event, Media City Qatar joins other participating organizations from Qatar at the summit to highlight the country’s growing digital ecosystem and state-of-the-art facilities, actively engaging in networking opportunities with industry professionals, investors, and innovators. With a focus on AI, digital media, and cutting-edge technologies, Media City Qatar aims to attract global talent and foster strategic partnerships.

In recent times, Qatar is expanding its appeal as a prime destination for businesses seeking to establish or extend their presence in the Middle East. As a global hub, Qatar now ranks 3rd in MENA and 5th globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (2024 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), with $1 billion invested in its first venture capital fund for SMEs and startups. Consistently ranked highly across various global indices, Qatar is celebrated for its cultural vibrancy, world-class safety, and high quality of life, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

Reflecting on these developments, Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, CEO of Media City Qatar, said, "By participating in Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon alongside the delegation from Qatar, we achieve two key goals for Media City Qatar: we showcase Qatar’s strengths to global tech and digital innovators and we invite the world’s top experts to see Doha as a leading hub for creativity and collaboration. Each international engagement reinforces our commitment to positioning Qatar at the forefront of digital innovation, attracting entrepreneurs and companies, and building partnerships that drive our vision for a future-ready media landscape in line with Qatar National Vision 2030."

The Web Summit Lisbon is renowned as one of the world's largest technology conferences, attracting leaders and innovators from various sectors to discuss and shape the future of technology and media.

Previously, at Web Summit Qatar 2024, Media City Qatar showcased its role as a key sponsor of the Media Village, facilitating meaningful connections among industry leaders and emerging talents.

Media City Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar University, successfully held the Euronews Business Media Training, an inspiring initiative aimed at equipping students with practical experience in media production, journalism, editorial, and broadcasting, fostering the development of young creative talent. Students engaged in hands-on training and real-world case studies, blending practical experience with theoretical learning to sharpen their skills.

The three-day event, held from October 29 to October 31, 2024, at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics, offered students within media and media-adjacent fields an immersive learning experience. Through hands-on sessions with experts from the Euronews Doha production team, participants explored the latest trends, innovative content distribution strategies, and business models shaping the global media landscape, gaining a deeper understanding of the media industry's dynamic nature.

The business media training marks the first major initiative stemming from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the Qatar Economic Forum in May 2024 between Media City Qatar and Qatar University. This initiative also highlights the strategic partnership between Media City and Euronews, aimed at delivering world-class training in Qatar and fostering the next generation of media professionals.

Tevfik Ergun, Strategy & Business Planning Manager at Media City Qatar, stated, “This business media training marks a pivotal moment in our journey to drive the transformation of Qatar's media landscape and build what’s ‘next’ for our industry. By aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030, and through partnerships with leading institutions like Qatar University and global leaders such as Euronews, we are not only nurturing talent today, but also shaping the future of media in Qatar and positioning the country as a regional hub for media innovation and excellence.”

Rana Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics (CBE) at Qatar University, remarked, “The Euronews Business Media Training marks the start of a lasting commitment to empowering our students with practical, transferable skills that will enable them to excel in the fast-changing media business landscape beyond their university experience. By fostering strong collaborations with industry leaders from Media City Qatar and Euronews, we are enriching our curriculum and ensuring that our students are fully prepared to make meaningful and impactful contributions, not only in media but across various sectors.”

Maxime Carboni, Chief Business Officer at Euronews, commented, "We're excited to join forces with Media City Qatar and Qatar University's Business College for this business media training. This initiative aligns with our dedication to nurturing the next generation of media professionals. Students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in the world of media. At Euronews, we're committed to empowering the future of media through education and collaboration, and we're proud to be part of this business media training."

As part of its broader strategy, Media City Qatar remains dedicated to fostering a thriving media ecosystem in the country by supporting the growth of creative talent and innovative media practices. By establishing partnerships with educational institutions and global industry leaders, Media City Qatar is committed to positioning Qatar as a leading hub for media and content creation, playing a vital role in the nation’s cultural and economic future.