An open-air cinema programme has been launched in the country with the opening of the first such facility at Dahl Al Hamam Park.

The initiative, called HawaScene - The Outdoor Movie Experience, was launched by Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, director of the Public Gardens Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), on Friday evening.
Speaking on the occasion, al-Khouri stressed that HawaScene is a new and distinguished addition to public gardens and parks in the country. Open-air cinemas have existed in many countries and the concept has now been brought to Qatar to keep pace with latest developments, he added.
Al-Khouri noted that the new facility will screen movies meant for children, including animated and awareness films, and there is also co-operation with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development to present movies in the Arabic language for young viewers.
As part of the initiative, films will be shown at the park from 7pm to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays. The screen is 8m wide and 5m high, and speakers have been installed around the park for a cinematic experience.
The cinema has been opened with the aim of utilising gardens and parks to provide entertainment to visitors of various age groups, especially families and children, on weekends, the MME has said in a press statement. In addition, competitions involving physical activities as well as quizzes will be held to further enhance the experience.
The programme will continue until March on an experimental basis. If successful, it will be implemented at all public parks in the country, according to the MME statement.
The initiative has been implemented by the ministry in co-operation with Vodafone Qatar, Smart Global and Kia Motors Corporation.
Officials of the partner organisations highlighted the significance of the open-air cinema during the opening.
Al-Khouri extended gratitude to the companies involved in the programme.