Doha Film Institute appoints new CEO

Qatar’s film production and finance arm, the Doha Film Institute (DFI), has appointed Abdulaziz Al-Khater as its new chief executive officer, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

“Doha Film Institute has established its credentials as one of the most promising film education establishments in the region… The appointment of Mr Abdulaziz Al-Khater, who has a wealth of management expertise, will be strong value addition in driving the future growth of the Institute,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Founder and Chair of DFI.

With over 14 years of leadership experience, Al-Khater joins DFI from Al Khalij Commercial Bank.

“DFI is poised for an exciting era of growth as it continues to evolve and foster the development of local and regional film industries,” he said.

Established in May 2010, the DFI finances and produces filmmaking in the Gulf state and its previous big screen release was ‘Black Gold’, which starred Antonio Banderas, ‘Just Like a Woman’ staring Sienna Miller and Kanye West’s short film ‘Cruel Summer’.

Another film, ‘The Prophet’, due out in 2013, is currently in pre-production, while it also backed the Hollywood political thriller ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’, starring Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland, which opened the 69th Venice International Film Festival this summer.