Doha, February 15 (QNA) - 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.

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, 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 Garcia 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. We are excited for the Masters to experience the extraordinary energy Qumra is now known for, and deeply grateful 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, saying cinema "exists in the tension between what is seen and what is felt". "At Qumra, we gather not to teach, but to open doors. The exchange reshapes perception. And from that shift, new worlds are 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. (QNA)