Doha Film Festival: Mohammed Al Ibrahim and the Rise of Qatari Cinema

At the Doha Film Festival, a new chapter in Qatari cinema is steadily unfolding, one defined by confidence, cultural specificity, and an emerging generation of filmmakers ready to tell their own stories. Among the titles marking this moment is Sa3ood Wainah?, the mystery thriller written and directed by Mohammed Al Ibrahim, which premiered at the festival and stands as a powerful example of Qatar’s growing cinematic identity.

Developed entirely in Qatar, Sa3ood Wainah? is unapologetically homegrown. “Our goal was to make a Qatari film, by Qatari actors, for our community and the wider Arab world,” Al Ibrahim says. “We speak the same language and share the same culture,” he adds, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in both storytelling and casting. For the director, the film brings together artists whose work is deeply rooted in local traditions, yet capable of speaking to universal audiences.

The 90-minute feature unfolds over the course of a casual night at a remote farmhouse, where brothers Hamood and Sa3oud revive a childhood magic trick taught to them by their late father. What begins as a nostalgic ritual slowly evolves into a psychological mystery, blending folklore, suspense, and emotional tension. As the night deepens, themes of brotherhood, guilt, faith, and the fragile boundary between illusion and truth begin to surface.

Al Ibrahim’s storytelling thrives on tonal shifts. The film opens with light, almost playful comedic moments, transitions into darker and more suspenseful territory, and eventually circles back to comedy. “The film moves between comedic moments at the beginning, more thrilling and suspenseful sequences in the middle, and then returns to comedy toward the end,” he explains. “I see this blending of genres as something quite common in many films.”

Cultural realism remains central to the film’s construction, including its all-male cast. “Since the story takes place in a farmhouse with three young male friends, it would not align with local traditions to include a female character in that setting,” Al Ibrahim notes. While this choice reflects the narrative’s specific environment, women play an essential role behind the scenes. Qatari editor Maryam Al-Sahli and VFX artist Maryam Mohammadi are among the key creatives who helped shape the film’s final form, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving Qatar’s evolving film industry.

The screenplay and plot development took several months to refine, with extensive research undertaken to strike the right balance between drama, comedy, and suspense. “The screenplay took several months of work in order to achieve the intended mix,” Al Ibrahim says. Although the story is fictional, its emotional core is deeply personal. “The characters are inspired by real people in my life,” he reveals, grounding the film’s psychological tension in lived experience.

Casting blended formal auditions with long-standing creative relationships. “I combined formal auditions with actors I’ve worked with for over 15 years, many of whom come from the local Qatari community,” Al Ibrahim explains. The result is an ensemble bound by trust and shared cultural understanding, an approach that mirrors the close-knit world the film portrays on screen.

Despite Sa3ood Wainah? being his first feature produced in Qatar, Al Ibrahim approached the project with confidence rather than apprehension. “I had no concerns, as this was not my first feature-length film,” he says. “The experience taught us a great deal and was an important learning process.”

While the film’s initial audience is Qatari and Arab viewers, Al Ibrahim hopes its reach will extend beyond the region. “I see this film as an important step in highlighting and showcasing Qatari artistic talent,” he says. More broadly, Sa3ood Wainah? reflects a wider movement taking shape at the Doha Film Festival, one in which Qatari filmmakers are claiming space, embracing their voices, and contributing to a growing cinematic culture.

“For us, this is a humble step,” Al Ibrahim concludes, “but it carries a message: Qatar’s artists, young and old, men and women, are building a vibrant film culture.”
With films like Sa3ood Wainah?, the rise of Qatari cinema no longer feels like a distant promise. It is happening now; one story, one voice, and one premiere at a time.