Doha: Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, is set to showcase the exclusive premiere episode of the second season of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” on Wednesday.
According to Qatar News Agency, the second season of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” filmed in Qatar and Singapore, celebrates the cultural similarities and differences of the Middle East and Far East, as mentioned by ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Marking the exclusive premiere of an episode from Season 2 at 2024 Ajyal, presented by the Doha Film Institute, Sityodtong described the show as the toughest reality competition show, aimed at unleashing the ‘unbreakable warrior spirit’ in the contestants.
The show features only 10 participants from across the world and is co-produced by Media City Qatar. It will premiere on beIN’s TOD on November 20, with candidates competing for a US$250,000 job offer to work under Sityodtong for a year in Singapore. Special guest CEOs from leading companies serve as Gu
est Advisors, including Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo and Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi. The show represents a significant milestone in Qatar’s emerging role in global entertainment production, filmed across numerous Qatar landmarks, including Katara Hospitality’s Raffles Hotel, Souq Waqif, and Zekreet.
Sityodtong emphasized the goal of showcasing contrasts and similarities between Asia and the Middle East. Candidates hail from diverse regions such as America and Asia, emphasizing global storytelling to inspire humanity. Highlighting ONE Championship’s prominence, Sityodtong noted its standing among the world’s largest sports media properties, competing with giants like NBA, F1, and Champions League in viewership according to Nielsen. He pointed out the importance of the Middle East and North Africa markets, predicting significant growth in the region with diverse content offerings.
Explaining the collaboration with MGM and ONE Championship, Sityodtong stated the aim was to creat
e a youthful, dynamic version of The Apprentice. This iteration stands out for its unique blend of business and physical challenges, requiring candidates to be tremendously fit and possess an ‘unbreakable warrior spirit’ to overcome various fears and obstacles. Dom Lau, Task Captain, highlighted the blend of Doha’s cultural heritage and futuristic structures, describing it as a tapestry between old and new.
Sityodtong noted broader implications for regional content creation, recognizing a global push for diverse content. He believes the MENA region has a significant opportunity in this trend. The show promises more than just entertainment, delivering beautiful storytelling about everyday people chasing dreams, filled with drama, love, anger, and happiness, mirroring life itself.
Ajyal Film Festival is an annual celebration designed to nurture young minds and support mindful global citizens and future leaders. ‘Ajyal’, meaning ‘generations’ in Arabic, builds on the Institute’s community-based programming his
tory, bringing people together through screenings and events that inspire creative interaction and stimulate cinematic dialogue. Through its jury programme, youth aged 8 to 25 are given the opportunity to watch, analyze, and discuss global cinema and culture, fostering self-confidence, independent critical thinking, self-expression, and an appreciation of cinema while making new friends and discovering global cultures.