HIA launches ‘Made in Qatar’ screening room

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and the Doha Film Institute (DFI) collaborated on Sunday to introduce a new 'Made in Qatar' screening room for airport passengers. This dedicated space, located at Concourse D near Lancôme Café, provides international travelers with an opportunity to experience Qatar's cinema while waiting for their flights. Operating around the clock until December 27, the screening room allows passengers to watch locally produced films at their leisure, without adhering to a predetermined schedule.

The initiative aims to introduce travellers to Qatar's culture and creative talent through independent films, while also offering a chance for Qatari filmmakers to reach wider international audiences. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ali Darwish, vice president of Terminal Operations at HIA, emphasized the airport's commitment to promoting Qatari culture and providing passengers with enriching experiences beyond traditional travel services.

He highlighted the screening room as a means to transform waiting time into a meaningful cultural exchange for the millions of passengers passing through the airport.

For many travelers, Hamad International Airport serves as their first introduction to Qatar, and the screening room offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the country through the stories told by local filmmakers. Abdulla al-Musallam, deputy CEO of the Doha Film Institute, explained that cinema has the power to convey a country's stories far beyond its borders. Films can connect people through shared experiences, dreams, and diverse perspectives, fostering understanding of cultures beyond one's own.

The partnership between DFI and HIA combines the institute's dedication to supporting local filmmaking talent with the airport's role as Qatar's international gateway. HIA is also the official airport partner for this year's Doha Film Festival, marking continued cooperation between the two organizations in promoting Qatar's cultural offerings to the world.