Back to listing

• Intaj is a fascinating multimedia exhibition that traces the remarkable history and growth of Qatar’s film, television and theatre movements
• A key element of the Doha Film Experience, Intaj features inspiring works by outstanding multidisciplinary artists from Qatar
• Exhibition includes internationally recognized objects from the collections of Qatar Museums and a cinematographic wall featuring contributions from Qatar’s creative community

Doha, Qatar; November 08, 2022: The Doha Film Institute today opened a fascinating multimedia exhibition, Intaj, that traces Qatar’s film, television, and theatre’s remarkable history to run from November 8, 2022 to January 22, 2023, at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb as part of the Doha Film Experience activities.

Notable guests in attendance at the opening included Chairperson of DFI Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Media Corporation His Excellency Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Thani Al Thani, Member of the Board of Trustees for Qatar Museums His Excellency Mr. Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, State Minister and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy His Excellency Hassan Al-Thawadi, Founding Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University Dr. Amal Al Malki, Qatar Museums CEO Ahmad Musa Al Namla, Qatar Museums Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions and Marketing Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Chairman and CEO of Abu Issa Holding Ashraf Abu Issa, composer and songwriter Dana Al Fardan and Director of Marketing and Communication, Msheireb Properties Dr. Hafez Ali Ali, among others.

Intaj, curated by Sheikh Khalifa Abdulla Al-Thani, is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Msheireb Properties and Qatar Museums, with the Qatar Media Corporation as Media Partner. The exhibition will be open from 10 AM to 10 PM daily, except on Fridays when the event will open doors from 2 to 10 PM from the 8th of November 2022 to 22nd January 2023.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Office of the Doha Film Institute, said: “Intaj is a shining tribute to our nation’s heritage and legacy in theatre, television and cinema, each with its own unique niche that has contributed to Qatar’s global position as a centre of cultural excellence. Together with various other artforms, they are the beating heart of our nation’s rich identity, which we proudly share with the world during the Doha Film Experience and beyond. Intaj will showcase exceptionally talented multidisciplinary artists that highlight our nation not only as a world class destination for sports, but for creative inspiration as well.”

The opening gallery at Intaj, Taking Centre Stage, highlights the dramatic rise of theatre in the country. From its humble beginnings in schools and social clubs, the contemporary theatre scene gained traction after the nation gained independence in 1971, with the founding of the Qatar Theatrical Troupe in 1972, and the Al Sadd Theatrical Troupe a year later.

As the art form progressed and gained popularity, two additional troupes were formed—the Lights Theatrical Troupe and Folk Theatrical Troupe. In 1994, these four acclaimed organisations then amalgamated into the two we recognise and celebrate today—the Qatari Theatrical Troupe and the Doha Theatrical Troupe. Since then, Qatar has gone on to build the noble Qatar National Theater, which opened its doors in 1986 and the impressive Qatar National Convention Centre in 2011, with its 2,300-seat theatre.

Tuned In, celebrates Qatar’s globally acclaimed television industry at Intaj’s second gallery. Since the founding of the ever-popular national public service channel Qatar Television in August 1970, the nation’s TV scene has scaled new heights. An invaluable voice for the nation, Qatar TV has become a long-standing and reliable source of information for the people of Qatar through news bulletins and political, economic, religious, cultural, sports, scientific and medical programmes.

During its celebrated five decades in operation, Qatar TV has launched the careers of countless directors, reporters, actors and other television industry professionals. The station provides media and journalism students with invaluable insights and experience in broadcasting, and was one of the first Arab channels to include fully modern devices and equipment. As vital today as ever, Qatar TV continues to tirelessly promote Qatar’s cultural values and raise awareness of important issues.

The third gallery shines the spotlight on Qatar’s rich cinematic history with A Focus on Filmmaking, beginning with modest 16mm film theatres in the 1950s. As popularity grew with local audiences, venues began opening throughout the country, resulting in the formation of the Qatar Cinema Company in 1970. The nation’s film production industry took its first tentative steps in 1975, when Qatar TV began making short documentaries.

The art form grew into today’s thriving cinema industry, and in 2010, Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani founded the Doha Film Institute (DFI) to support the continued growth of the Qatari and regional film community through funding, training and international networking opportunities for content creators in the Arab world and beyond. To date, the Institute has supported over 750 projects from over 75 countries and is the first Arab organisation to receive 10 Oscar® nominations in seven consecutive years for its supported films.

Flowing through explorations of each art form’s development and influences on contemporary culture, the Intaj journey presents inspiring works from local multidisciplinary artists including Hamida Issa, Mohammed Al-Hamadi, Maryam Faraj Al-Suwaidi, Amna Al-Baker, Noor Al-Naser, and Rawda Al-Thani, among others in ‘The Interactive Age of Storytellers’ gallery. The journey concludes with a retrospective of world cinematic history with the Qatar Museums gallery, ‘The Story of Cinema’ and a cinematographic wall featuring contributions from Qatar’s creative community.

Celebrating the very best in Qatari and Arabic filmmaking, creativity and art, the Doha Film Experience will expand this year’s amazing celebrations with an extensive programme of unmissable screenings, a captivating multimedia exhibition, Qatar’s largest pop culture event Geekdom and a slate of exciting live concerts with Ajyal Tunes.