Author: Niyas Aboobacker

Media City Qatar (MCQ) participated in the Al Jazeera Documentary (AJD) Industry Days event, held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from September 14-16, 2024. Organized by Al Jazeera Balkans in cooperation with Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN), MCQ was a key partner at the event, promoting Qatar as a hub for content creation.

The event was dedicated to broadening the global presence of documentaries, encouraging international co-productions, and linking key decision-makers with promising projects. MCQ was represented by Thair Khaled Al Anani, Director of Business Development, and Tevfik Ergun, Strategy & Business Planning Manager, along with a senior delegation who actively participated in discussions throughout the event.

MCQ seized the spotlight at a dedicated session, attended by documentary filmmakers, investors, and leading industry professionals, showcasing its pivotal role in advancing Qatar's media industry. By outlining strategic initiatives, MCQ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting diverse creative talents, driving economic diversification and positioning Qatar as a destination for global media.

Speaking on MCQ’s participation in the event, Thair Khaled Al Anani said, "Media City Qatar’s presence at AJD Industry Days solidifies our commitment to global media collaboration. Documentaries are powerful tools for storytelling, and we’re dedicated to empowering content creators, media entrepreneurs, and filmmakers worldwide. Qatar is becoming the epicenter for creative talent, and we’re proud to be part of it."

MCQ, an emerging global media hub, offers a favorable regulatory environment, cutting-edge business facilities, and compelling incentive schemes to ensure the success of emerging media ventures in Qatar. This comprehensive strategy is vital for the ongoing growth and development of the nation’s diverse creative industries, including broadcasting, traditional and digital news, gaming, user-generated content, AI, and other advanced technologies.

AJD Industry Days served as a crucial gathering for documentary projects from Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA). Over the course of three days, the event showcased numerous projects and included initial presentations followed by one-on-one meetings. This setup provided documentary filmmakers from these regions the chance to network with decision-makers and leading professionals from both regional and international documentary and TV industries. The aim was to help secure funding for documentary production, facilitating broadcast, distribution, screening, and sales on a global scale.

Media City Qatar recently hosted 30 prominent influencers from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region, offering them an exclusive look into Qatar’s rapidly expanding media landscape. This gathering brought together influencers from 15+ MENAT countries in a dynamic exchange focused on the opportunities that Qatar provides for regional and global content creators.

In collaboration with Visit Qatar, the event highlighted Qatar's growing role as a hub for content production. The influencers engaged in discussions on the country's vibrant media industry and explored the extensive support available for digital talents. It demonstrated Media City Qatar's commitment to building a thriving media ecosystem that serves as a bridge for influencers and creative professionals to connect with global audiences

By hosting such events, Media City Qatar continues to strengthen its role in supporting the country's vision of becoming a leading destination for media, content production, and digital innovation.

A senior delegation from Media City Qatar, led by CEO Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, attended the IBC Convention 2024 in Amsterdam, the world’s leading broadcasting, media, and technology show. The event, held from September 13-16, brought together global leaders in media, entertainment, and technology to discuss cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of the industry.

IBC, founded in 1967, is a globally recognized platform for fostering critical insights, sharing expertise, and unlocking new business opportunities. The convention has evolved over its 57-year history and now attracts participants from more than 170 nations.

Media City Qatar’s participation at IBC2024 underscored the organization’s commitment to positioning Qatar as an emerging key player in the global media landscape. Through productive discussions with top industry executives, Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori and his team sought to exchange best practices in content creation, distribution, and audience engagement, driving the evolution of Qatar’s media industry and strengthening its international reach.

Media City Qatar’s participation at the convention reinforces its commitment to driving media innovation in Qatar and beyond, aligning with its mission to position Qatar as a hub for global media and technology excellence, fostering opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth.

Media City Qatar’s Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, explains how Qatar is helping to shape the future of media in the MENA region.

In the ever-evolving world of media, where content reigns supreme and geographical boundaries are increasingly blurred, the Middle East is experiencing record growth with the media and entertainment market’s revenue expected to exceed $60 billion by 2028, according to Mordor Intelligence. The region is home to a young, diverse, tech-savvy, and connected population that is undergoing an unprecedented socio-cultural renaissance, making it an ideal market for media companies to tap into. In this context, Media City Qatar is doing its part to drive growth of MENA’s thriving media ecosystem.

Shaping the Regional Media Landscape
It is fitting for Qatar and the wider region to play a role in shaping the future of media. The Arab world has always been a cradle of captivating stories; from the epic journeys of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ to some of the best film productions during our golden age of cinema, the rich tapestry of narratives has inspired audiences for centuries.

Today, the digital revolution is sweeping across the Middle East at an incredible pace and with it comes a whole new world of opportunity for Arab storytellers with powerful tools and a global audience. Meanwhile, MENA consumers are craving content that reflects their culture and values. This has fueled a surge in Arabic-language TV shows, movies, gaming, and music. This is the exciting reality emerging in the Arab world.
The MENA region has the fundamentals for a vibrant media sector with its distinct culture and heritage, government investments, engaged population, and unmatched internet penetration. For the media sector to truly thrive now, we need to help the private sector take the lead. Our investments must adapt to maximize this opportunity by empowering the private sector and building the talent pool—this is where Media City Qatar steps in, with its commitment to nurturing this growth.

With its three-pillar mandate as a cluster regulator, developer, and investor, Media City Qatar will provide more than just real estate. It aspires to be an incubator for companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talent, accelerating the evolution of regional media, and nurturing a powerful and innovative ecosystem that can propel the Middle Eastern media landscape forward.

Attracting FDI and International Media Companies
A strong regional media scene creates a platform for diverse voices and stories to emerge from across the Middle East. This, in turn, will foster a more dynamic and competitive media environment and attract international attention and investment. International media companies are already recognizing the potential of the MENA market and are investing in local production and distribution.

On the consumer side, the MENA region boasts a young, connected population with rising disposable income. This translates to a massive audience that is hungry for high-quality media content that can cater to their local preferences while still receptive to international influence. This is an environment where global companies can thrive by adapting their content for the region.

To capitalize on this trend, initiatives like Media City Qatar are crucial. We provide a supportive ecosystem for international media professionals and businesses seeking a strong ally to help them create the ideal conditions to thrive within the region.

Our commitment is to create the perfect conditions for success on the ground in Qatar. To do this, we strive to meet the full spectrum of content creator needs, including dynamic business incubation services, stunning locations, permits and licensing, recruiting world-class talents, accessing production and post-production facilities, or even marketing and sales support services. Moreover, we cater to businesses across media sectors, including broadcasting, content aggregation, digital publishing, gaming, user-generated content, AI, and other cutting-edge innovations.

What truly sets us apart, however, is our comprehensive, start-to-finish support and guidance for media companies and content creators interested in the Arab World, whether they are already operating from Qatar or planning to expand into the Middle East region.

The Power of Content
Beyond economic benefits, media has the power to connect cultures. Our vision for Media City Qatar goes beyond creating content; it is about promoting cultural exchange across borders, bridging global perspectives, and dismantling stereotypes.

Media City Qatar recently supported the Qatar exhibition coinciding with the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale titled, ‘Your Ghosts Are Mine - Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices.’ The exhibition brought the visions of dozens of filmmakers and video artists from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia to the art world’s most prestigious stage. Works were drawn from the collections of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Contemporary Art, the Doha Film Institute, and the forthcoming Art Mill Museum, scheduled to open in 2030. The exhibition perfectly captured the power of film to connect audiences and tell stories.

We also brought the same message to Venice, coinciding with the 81st Venice International Film Festival, through our activation 'Global Stories, Local Lens.' The activation saw Qatari artist, Fatma Al Shebani, and Italian artist, Nicolò Galasso, collaborate on a piece called ‘The Bridge’, designed to remind us that film is a universal language that connects hearts and minds across the world. The two artists created a fusion of the Venetian carnival mask and the Qatari ‘battoulah,’ symbolizing harmony and innovation.

Unveiled at a special dinner held in partnership with Doha Film Institute, the activation represents the importance of forging partnerships and creating opportunities for co-productions, bridging cultures through international collaborations. Most importantly, it reminds us that through art and film, we discover our shared humanity—a powerful message that even in a divided world, we are all part of the same story.

https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/leadership/leaders-insights/qatar-boosting-menas-media-landscape

Media City Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fadaat Media Group, establishing a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing media infrastructure and local production capabilities in Qatar. The signing ceremony took place at Fadaat Studios in Lusail, bringing together senior leadership from both organizations.

The MoU sets the foundation for collaborative efforts between Media City Qatar and Fadaat Media Group to strengthen the media landscape in Qatar. Under this agreement, Media City Qatar will assist Fadaat in establishing and licensing companies, incentivize local production, support the development of a media training academy, and explore advertising and broadcasting opportunities through Alaraby Television Network’s FM frequency.

In return, Media City Qatar will collaborate with Fadaat Media Group to leverage their technical expertise and access their production studios in Lusail, enhancing local production capabilities and supporting infrastructure development. The partnership is expected to bolster Qatar’s media sector by fostering local talent and driving innovation within the industry.

Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, CEO of Media City Qatar, commenting on the partnership, stated: “Today’s agreement between Media City Qatar and Fadaat Media Group represents our shared vision of turning Qatar into a global media hub. Through this partnership, we’re building a foundation for innovation, talent development, and advanced production capabilities that will elevate the entire sector. By working together, we’re building a new era for Qatar’s media industry—one that will enhance local capabilities, support infrastructure growth, and ensure our media professionals are equipped to compete globally.”

Mr. Maayed Dib, CEO of Fadaat Media Group, added during the signing: “This collaboration with Media City Qatar is a milestone for Fadaat Media Group as we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Qatar’s media industry. By harnessing our expertise and combining it with Media City’s innovative vision, we are empowering Qatar’s media professionals to lead the way in this ever-evolving landscape."

Fadaat Media Group, established in 2012 and headquartered in Qatar, stands as one of the largest media networks in the Arab world, reaching a global audience of over 500 million. The group is committed to providing in-depth and objective news coverage, supporting cultural production, and  driving innovation in media services across its various platforms. With a presence in 35 offices worldwide, Fadaat Media contributes in shaping the Arab media landscape.

Media City Qatar remains committed to fostering the growth of the nation's diverse creative industries, from broadcasting and digital news to gaming, AI, and emerging technologies. The latest agreement with Fadaat Media Group comes on the heels of a series of strategic partnerships Media City Qatar has forged this year, further cementing its role in enhancing Qatar’s media and innovation landscape. Earlier collaborations with Cité de Mémoire, the Qatar Research Development Innovation Council, and Qatar University reflect Media City Qatar’s ongoing commitment to building a robust ecosystem for media and technology development in the country.

Doha Film Institute, in partnership with Media City Qatar recently hosted the “Geekdom Game Development Workshop”; a key initiative designed to foster creative development among Qatar's youth. This collaboration between the two national organizations seeks to strengthen the foundation of a thriving creative industry and a robust media scene, aligning with the country’s vision for innovation and technological advancement.

The immersive game development workshop, in partnership with COREGAME and powered by Media City Qatar, was aimed at participants aged 13 to 17, and took place from August 12 to August 29, 2024, at Doha Film Institute’s headquarters. Conducted over 12 immersive sessions, the workshop fused theory with practice and covered essential topics including Introduction to Game Development, Understanding Game Design, Creating Game Elements, Basic Movement, Enhancing Gameplay, Animation and Interactivity, Collectibles and Scores, and Level Design and Testing.

The workshop’s modules were delivered by leading industry experts from Geekdom and COREGAME Technology Solutions. Instructors included Fadi Soufi and Dave Andrew who delivered intensive and varied sessions to aspiring creative participants. Instructors provided practical lessons to support participants with becoming more familiar with industry-standard software like Unity, Visual Studio Code and Aseprite. Throughout the workshop, each participant demonstrated their passion for game development and their eagerness to bring their ideas to life.

One of the attendees, Thani Al-Shibani, shared his experience: "As a participant in the ‘Geekdom Game Development Workshop,’ I felt like I was finally able to turn my passion for gaming into something real. The sessions were incredibly engaging and taught us everything from the basics of game design to actually creating our own game levels. I can’t wait to keep building on these technical skills—this experience has truly inspired my parents and I to explore a future in the game development industry for me."

Thair Khaled Al Anani, Director of Business Development, from Media City Qatar commented, “At Media City Qatar, in line with the Third Qatar National Development Strategy, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative talent. The ‘Geekdom Game Development Workshop’ is a perfect example of our commitment to providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. We are thrilled to see the passion and creativity these young participants brought to the table, and we look forward to supporting more initiatives like this in the future.”

Game development is a cornerstone of the creative industries, blending art, technology, and storytelling in ways that engage and inspire audiences worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing sectors, it not only fuels creativity but also contributes significantly to the global economy, generating billions in revenue and creating jobs across multiple disciplines. In 2024, the video games market is projected to reach a revenue of US$282.30bn and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.76% between 2024 and 2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$363.30bn by 2027.

Abdulla Al Mosallam, Founder of Geekdom and Chief Administrative Officer of Doha Film Institute stated: “Qatar’s creative industries have experienced significant growth over the years, driven by local talent that continues to lead the way in inventiveness and ingenuity. Geek culture has become a dynamic and integral part of our creative community, providing a space where imagination thrives and new ideas are embraced. Hosting a game development workshop is not merely a technical endeavour; it serves as a powerful catalyst for innovation, fostering collaboration and inspiring young creators to redefine the possibilities of storytelling and technology. We are deeply grateful to our partners at Media City Qatar for their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of developers, designers, and artists as they shape our nation’s creative future on a global scale.”

Media City Qatar’s efforts through initiatives like the “Geekdom Game Development Workshop” continue to support the ongoing growth and development of the nation’s diverse creative industries. This includes sectors such as broadcasting, traditional and digital news, gaming, user-generated content, AI, and other advanced technologies, ensuring Qatar remains at the forefront of innovation and creativity.

Geekdom, Qatar’s largest one-of-a-kind pop culture event established by DFI in 2013, offers the community in Qatar unique opportunities for diverse new ways to connect with motion arts and visual storytelling, including art, film, music, video games, animation and television. The continued success of Geekdom has sparked the growth of a new national industry, with the opening of animation studios and pop-culture-focused stores that support the advancement of homegrown talent and creative industries.