Media City Qatar’s Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, explains how Qatar is helping to shape the future of media in the MENA region.

In the ever-evolving world of media, where content reigns supreme and geographical boundaries are increasingly blurred, the Middle East is experiencing record growth with the media and entertainment market’s revenue expected to exceed $60 billion by 2028, according to Mordor Intelligence. The region is home to a young, diverse, tech-savvy, and connected population that is undergoing an unprecedented socio-cultural renaissance, making it an ideal market for media companies to tap into. In this context, Media City Qatar is doing its part to drive growth of MENA’s thriving media ecosystem.

Shaping the Regional Media Landscape
It is fitting for Qatar and the wider region to play a role in shaping the future of media. The Arab world has always been a cradle of captivating stories; from the epic journeys of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ to some of the best film productions during our golden age of cinema, the rich tapestry of narratives has inspired audiences for centuries.

Today, the digital revolution is sweeping across the Middle East at an incredible pace and with it comes a whole new world of opportunity for Arab storytellers with powerful tools and a global audience. Meanwhile, MENA consumers are craving content that reflects their culture and values. This has fueled a surge in Arabic-language TV shows, movies, gaming, and music. This is the exciting reality emerging in the Arab world.
The MENA region has the fundamentals for a vibrant media sector with its distinct culture and heritage, government investments, engaged population, and unmatched internet penetration. For the media sector to truly thrive now, we need to help the private sector take the lead. Our investments must adapt to maximize this opportunity by empowering the private sector and building the talent pool—this is where Media City Qatar steps in, with its commitment to nurturing this growth.

With its three-pillar mandate as a cluster regulator, developer, and investor, Media City Qatar will provide more than just real estate. It aspires to be an incubator for companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talent, accelerating the evolution of regional media, and nurturing a powerful and innovative ecosystem that can propel the Middle Eastern media landscape forward.

Attracting FDI and International Media Companies
A strong regional media scene creates a platform for diverse voices and stories to emerge from across the Middle East. This, in turn, will foster a more dynamic and competitive media environment and attract international attention and investment. International media companies are already recognizing the potential of the MENA market and are investing in local production and distribution.

On the consumer side, the MENA region boasts a young, connected population with rising disposable income. This translates to a massive audience that is hungry for high-quality media content that can cater to their local preferences while still receptive to international influence. This is an environment where global companies can thrive by adapting their content for the region.

To capitalize on this trend, initiatives like Media City Qatar are crucial. We provide a supportive ecosystem for international media professionals and businesses seeking a strong ally to help them create the ideal conditions to thrive within the region.

Our commitment is to create the perfect conditions for success on the ground in Qatar. To do this, we strive to meet the full spectrum of content creator needs, including dynamic business incubation services, stunning locations, permits and licensing, recruiting world-class talents, accessing production and post-production facilities, or even marketing and sales support services. Moreover, we cater to businesses across media sectors, including broadcasting, content aggregation, digital publishing, gaming, user-generated content, AI, and other cutting-edge innovations.

What truly sets us apart, however, is our comprehensive, start-to-finish support and guidance for media companies and content creators interested in the Arab World, whether they are already operating from Qatar or planning to expand into the Middle East region.

The Power of Content
Beyond economic benefits, media has the power to connect cultures. Our vision for Media City Qatar goes beyond creating content; it is about promoting cultural exchange across borders, bridging global perspectives, and dismantling stereotypes.

Media City Qatar recently supported the Qatar exhibition coinciding with the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale titled, ‘Your Ghosts Are Mine - Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices.’ The exhibition brought the visions of dozens of filmmakers and video artists from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia to the art world’s most prestigious stage. Works were drawn from the collections of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Contemporary Art, the Doha Film Institute, and the forthcoming Art Mill Museum, scheduled to open in 2030. The exhibition perfectly captured the power of film to connect audiences and tell stories.

We also brought the same message to Venice, coinciding with the 81st Venice International Film Festival, through our activation 'Global Stories, Local Lens.' The activation saw Qatari artist, Fatma Al Shebani, and Italian artist, Nicolò Galasso, collaborate on a piece called ‘The Bridge’, designed to remind us that film is a universal language that connects hearts and minds across the world. The two artists created a fusion of the Venetian carnival mask and the Qatari ‘battoulah,’ symbolizing harmony and innovation.

Unveiled at a special dinner held in partnership with Doha Film Institute, the activation represents the importance of forging partnerships and creating opportunities for co-productions, bridging cultures through international collaborations. Most importantly, it reminds us that through art and film, we discover our shared humanity—a powerful message that even in a divided world, we are all part of the same story.

https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/leadership/leaders-insights/qatar-boosting-menas-media-landscape