Doha: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the line-up of international artists who will serve as Qumra Masters at its 12th annual talent incubator, scheduled to take place from March 27 to April 1, 2026. The selected Masters are Moroccan filmmaker Faouzi Bensaidi, Mexican actor and director Gael Garcia Bernal, French filmmaker Alice Diop, Mexican actor and producer Diego Luna, and Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qumra, a cornerstone of DFI's talent development initiatives, supports emerging filmmakers through mentorship, masterclasses and curated industry meetings. The program connects directors and producers from the region and beyond with established international figures in cinema.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, DFI's chief executive, stated that Qumra was created to ensure that emerging filmmakers are not only supported, but truly seen artistically, professionally and globally. She emphasized that welcoming these luminaries as the 2026 Qumra Masters reflects DFI's belief in generous mentorship's power to change creative trajectories. Their commitment to storytelling, cultural dialogue, and artistic courage is expected to have a lasting impact on the filmmakers they engage with and on the stories that will shape cinema's future.
The return of Gael Garcia Bernal to Qumra is particularly significant, as he was a Master in the very first edition. Over 12 editions, Qumra has grown in scale, ambition, and global reach, becoming a space defined by creative exchange, generosity, and momentum. The Masters are anticipated to experience the extraordinary energy Qumra is now known for, and there is deep gratitude to Gael for his early support in helping set the foundation for what has become one of the most influential talent incubators for emerging filmmakers worldwide.
Artistic adviser Elia Suleiman described Qumra as a space for creative exchange, noting that cinema "exists in the tension between what is seen and what is felt." He further explained that at Qumra, the gathering is not for teaching but for opening doors, leading to exchanges that reshape perception and inspire new worlds imagined by those who dare to see differently.
The 2026 edition will feature masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring sessions, and industry meetings. Further program details are expected in the coming weeks.