The Spring 2025 cycle opens on the 22nd of December and closes on the 5th of January at 5pm GMT +3.

During this period, you can apply by clicking on the “submit” icon at the bottom of this page.

Important: Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please read the guideline PDF (above) for the documents required.

The goals of the Doha Film Institute Grants Programme are to identify new talent, seek out new cinematic voices and discover universally resonant stories.

The Institute’s approach is to champion projects that aim to explore, expand and cultivate authentic storytelling, with a keen interest in propelling forward the medium of cinema.

The Programme provides creative and financial assistance for short and feature-length films, subject to eligibility criteria, by Qatari and international first- and second-time directors, as well as established MENA directors.

Financial support is also available for TV and web series helmed by MENA scriptwriters and directors, subject to eligibility criteria.

The TV fiction and creative documentary series development grant aims to assist independent screenwriters/producers from the MENA region in developing original serialized content intended for international audiovisual markets, while the web fiction and creative documentary series grant will support independent directors/producers from the MENA region in financing the production of original serialized content for the web.

DFI Grants Programme: Trailer

Every year, there are two grants submission cycles. The Spring cycle opens in January, and the following Fall cycle takes place in July.

Please submit via the online form, only accessible on this page while submissions are open. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please read the guideline PDF (above) for the documents required.

**If you are unsure which regional criteria apply to your application, please click on the links to country lists below, or contact us at grants@dohafilminstitute.com

Click here for the list of MENA countries
Click here for the list of Non-MENA countries

Qatari Applicants

The Institute seeks to strengthen and empower Qatari voices in filmmaking that have the potential to make significant contributions to the art of cinema. Its focus on the growth and evolution of Qatar’s film community includes providing creative and logistical support, as well as financial contribution to filmmakers from Qatar.

In addition to applying for funding through the Grants Programme , Qatari filmmakers with short and feature-length projects at any stage of evolution are invited to contact the Institute year-round at grants@dohafilminstitute.com to discuss grants, co-financing possibilities, internships with international productions, creative development seminars, mentorship initiatives and exhibition opportunities.

International Applicants

Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Development, production and post-production funding is available to first- and second-time directors from the MENA region for feature-length projects. Short films are eligible for production funding only. Established MENA directors may apply for post-production funding for feature-length projects.

Development funding is available to screenwriters from the MENA region for TV series.
Production funding is available to directors from the MENA region for web series.

Non-MENA

Post-production funding is available for feature-length films by first- and second-time non-MENA directors.

Grant Agreement
In the event that your original project is successfully awarded a DFI grant, you will be required to sign a Grant Agreement that will set out the terms of our relationship. The Grant Agreement will include (where applicable) the contract duration, grant amount, financial requirements, credit requirements and other miscellaneous provisions. By submitting a grant application to the Doha Film Institute, you hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms of submission and release, and in particular that: 1. You have read, understood and have complied with all documentation relating to the Grants Programme.

2. You understand that the Institute is not obligated to either examine or use your application material or to invite you to participate in the Grants Programme, nor to provide you with any reason for its decisions.

3. You understand that the application material you submit will be kept confidential by the Institute. You also understand that the Institute and persons and entities affiliated with, related to, or connected with the Institute and/or the Grants Programme operate other programmes and events and may be developing material that may be similar to your application in theme, idea, plot, format or in other material respects.

4. You are the sole author and owner of all application material and have the full right and authority to submit the application material to the Institute for inclusion in the Grants Programme.