Doha Film Institute Announces New Executive Board of Trustees to Guide the Next Era of Bold Filmmaking Across the Region and Beyond

Key figures from across Qatar’s ministries and entities will help drive DFI’s strategic commitment to creating more avenues for powerful storytelling.

Doha-Qatar; 20 October 2025: Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced its new Executive Board of Trustees comprised of distinguished leaders from key Qatari ministries and entities. Each member draws on their wealth of experience and expertise working with diverse organisations that have helped shape the nation and strengthen Qatar’s global position as a leading cultural hub.

Under the leadership of H.E. Sheikha Al-Mayassa, Chairperson of DFI, the new members are: H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD); H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education; H.E. Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism; H.E. Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, Managing Director  of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy; Mr. Abdulla Al Najjar, Member of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, and Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al-Khori, Chief Executive Officer of Media City Qatar.

Sheikha Al-Mayassa said: “Over the past 15 years, DFI has been a driving force behind a golden age of Arab cinema, championing important films that have elevated Arab voices and  redefined the global storytelling landscape with richness, diversity, and truth. While we continue to grow, we remain committed to the values that are part of our organisational DNA: creative excellence, cultural authenticity, and the belief in the power of film to unite, to heal, and to remind us of our shared humanity. Our new Board of Trustees will steer the organisation to continue to look boldly to the future while honouring the strength of our past and celebrating our rich traditions and values”.

New Board of Trustee Profiles:

H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), where he leads Qatar’s national efforts in the fields of international development and humanitarian aid. He oversees initiatives aimed at strengthening Qatar’s role as a trusted global partner in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His vision has been pivotal in consolidating QFFD’s position as a reliable global development partner, with his forward-looking approach—anchored in innovation and international cooperation, enhancing the Fund’s presence and establishing it as one of the leading regional and international institutions in development and cooperation.

H.E. also serves on the board of Dukhan Bank, where he contributes actively to promoting sustainable growth and strengthening the competitiveness of Qatar’s financial sector. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and Middle Eastern Studies from Northwestern University in Qatar, reflecting his deep interest in cross-cultural communication and its role in advancing inclusive and sustainable development.

H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater is the Minister of Education and Higher Education. Her distinguished career in public service includes appointments as Minister of State for International Cooperation and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs. H.E. holds numerous influential board positions, serving as Vice Chairperson of Media City Qatar and as a board member for Qatar University, Georgetown University in Qatar, Qatar Museums, and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), among others. She holds master’s degrees in computer science and public policy.

H.E. Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji was appointed Chairman of Qatar Tourism in October 2023, bringing extensive administrative expertise from various leadership positions across the nation. His career is marked by a commitment to advancing Qatar’s global standing. Prior to his current role, he served as Director of the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. H.E. holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Qatar University.

H.E. Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi is the Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), the Qatari government entity that was responsible for overseeing and coordinating efforts at both national and international level for the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup. He continues to oversee the SC in its new mandate as it contributes to elevating Qatar’s sport and entertainment events ecosystem. He chairs the Film Committee at Media City Qatar and the Generation Amazing Foundation, and serves on boards at Qatar Media City, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Northwestern University Qatar, Qatar Rail, and Qatar International Islamic Bank.  He is also a board member of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), where he previously served as General Counsel.  Al Thawadi holds a degree in Law from the University of Sheffield and speaks four languages.

Mr. Abdulla Alnajjar is an exceptional C-level leader with over 25 years of experience and a distinguished background in strategic planning and delivery across several of Qatar’s most significant national projects. He has held senior leadership roles with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar Museums Authority, and the 2006 Doha Asian Games. He is a graduate of Engineering and holds an Executive MBA with merit from Plymouth University in the UK.

Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al-Khori is Chief Executive Officer of Media City Qatar, where he leads the implementation of an ambitious strategy to position Qatar as a leading regional hub for media, innovation, and talent development — in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030). A strategic thinker with nearly two decades of professional experience, Eng. Al Khori is recognized as one of Qatar’s most prominent executive leaders. He has held senior leadership positions at several globally renowned organisations, including North Oil Company, Maersk Oil, Shell Exploration and Production, and Schlumberger. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Qatar University and has completed advanced Executive Leadership Programmes at the Qatar Leadership Centre and INSEAD.