Doha Film Institute (DFI) announced globally celebrated visionaries - Faouzi Bensaïdi, Gael García Bernal, Alice Diop, Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla - as Qumra Masters for its 12th annual talent incubator event, taking place from March 27-April 1.
Reinforcing Qumra’s standing as the Arab world’s premier platform for creative mentorship and cinematic development, the 2026 Masters will share creative perspectives forged across their distinguished careers—guiding a new generation of filmmakers as they develop bold, original work.
A cornerstone of DFI’s mission, Qumra supports filmmakers from the region and beyond, connecting them with leading international artists and industry experts through intensive mentorship, masterclasses and professional exchange.
For over a decade, Qumra has played a decisive role in nurturing independent voices and expanding the global reach of thought-provoking cinema.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of DFI, said: “Qumra was created to ensure that emerging filmmakers are not only supported, but truly seen — artistically, professionally and globally. Welcoming these luminaries as our 2026 Qumra Masters reflects our belief that generous mentorship can change creative trajectories. Their commitment to storytelling, cultural dialogue and artistic courage will have a lasting impact on the filmmakers they engage with, and on the stories that will shape cinema’s future.
“Gael García Bernal’s return to Qumra is especially meaningful, having been 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”.
Masterful Moroccan filmmaker and actor Faouzi Bensaïdi crafts films of quiet tension and dark wit, where precise form and human fragility reveal the poetry of everyday disquiet; influential actor-director-producer whose career spans landmark independent cinema and global mainstream projects, Gael García Bernal consistently champions socially driven storytelling; acclaimed filmmaker Alice Diop, whose rigorously observed documentaries and award-winning narrative work have positioned her as a defining voice in contemporary European cinema; a leading actor, director and producer, Diego Luna’s body of work bridges auteur cinema and major studio productions, while advancing Latino representation across global platforms; and a composer of rare emotional restraint, Gustavo Santaolalla has created some of the most haunting sonic landscapes across film, television and music.
Elia Suleiman, artistic adviser at DFI, said: "Cinema begins where certainty ends. It exists in the tension between what is seen and what is felt, offering a language beyond image”.
The 12th edition of Qumra will feature masterclasses, one-on-one mentorship sessions and curated industry meetings, offering participants rare access to creative and expert guidance from across the global film ecosystem. Further programme and guest details will be announced in the coming weeks.
