Media City Qatar Completes Five Regional Productions One Year After MIPCOM Announcement

More than 30 projects have received support from Media City Qatar, according to figures released in November 2026. The figure includes 10 documentaries, seven shows and programs, five series, five films, three games, and two podcasts.

The current slate of five completed works marks a specific one-year milestone. At MIPCOM Cannes in 2025, Media City Qatar announced support for the Arabic drama series “Lamma Shefet” and “Kawalees,” both developed by ImagiQ Productions in collaboration with The Big Picture Studios. At that time, the projects were in the development phase. A year later, both series are complete. “Lamma Shefet” is a 10-episode drama-thriller directed by David Oryan and starring Aimée Sayah and Mohamad Al Ahmad. “Kawalees,” written by Nadine Jaber and directed by Emile Slailaty, stars Dima Kandalaft as a podcaster investigating a 1990s disappearance.

Three feature films also reached the completion stage during this period. “First to Fly,” directed by Rodrigo Vazquez Salessi, was filmed across Qatar, Bulgaria, and Madagascar, following two young gymnasts. “Jodari Meno” is a documentary by Jamal Alkhanji about his attempt to catch a world-record dogtooth tuna. “A Very Ordinary Life,” directed by Muhammed Deniz, stars Khaled Amin and Farah El Fassi. All three films have been selected for the special screenings program at the Doha Film Festival 2026.

Hamad Omar AlMannai, CEO of Media City Qatar, stated that the organization is pleased to return to MIPCOM with productions that have moved through development and production. He noted that the market allows companies to make early connections, which become more meaningful as the work moves forward toward audiences. The organization’s ecosystem aims to connect eligible projects with the necessary financing, crews, locations, and post-production services.

Bassil Hajjar, Middle East TV market director and MIPCOM representative, described the return of these specific projects as providing a sense of momentum. He emphasized that producers need the opportunity to make connections early and build on those relationships as projects move toward audiences. The upcoming MIPCOM Cannes 2026 event will feature these completed works alongside new industry connections.

The progression of these five projects serves as a marker for the support structure provided by Media City Qatar. The companies behind the productions are now focused on distribution and reaching audiences. The next stage involves showcasing the finished works to international industry players at the market. This allows the creative teams to explore how their stories can reach new markets.