Tom Quinn

Source: Source: Courtesy of Neon

Tom Quinn

US independent studio Neon is partnering with the Film Committee at Media City Qatar on a four-year co-developing, co-financing and distribution agreement.

The partnership, announced at the opening of Doha Film Festival’s Industry Days, will see the partners make six to ten feature and short films across the four years, with a focus on Arabic-language and regionally inspired productions.

It will include original stories and acquisitions, with the aim of nurturing local filmmakers and showcasing the creative potential of the MENA region on the world stage.

Neon will handle distribution across all territories, with the Film Committee co-financing the slate.

The companies are beginning the partnership with a project titled Caesar, telling the real story of Farid al-Madhan (known as Caesar), a Syrian military officer who risked his life to expose systemic torture and human-rights abuses inside Syrian prisons during Bashar Al Assad’s region.

It will be developed across feature film, documentary, series and a podcast. The Film Committee will partner with US production house Department M and Doha’s Katara Studios to co-develop and co-produce the story, with Neon handling distribution. Kuwait-based Sard Media Group will also document and develop the project.

“Our collaboration with Neon represents an important milestone in the Film Committee’s mission to support Arab cinema,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, chairman of the Film Committee. “This agreement is about more than financing films, it’s about creating a new platform for Arabic and regional storytelling, ensuring that stories from Qatar and the wider Arab world are seen, celebrated, and shared globally.

“Through this partnership, we are deepening creative collaboration between the Arab world and global cinema, helping position the region as a key player in the creative economy of the Global South.”

“Neon has always been committed to supporting international cinema, and our partnership with the Film Committee at Media City Qatar gives us the opportunity to elevate an even richer diversity of filmmaking for audiences around the world,” said Quinn.

”Caesar’s incredible true story is one of heroism and humanity, with the depth, scale, and global relevance to make for a great film,” said 

It was announced to a full room at the DFF Industry Days, with Al Thawadi and Quinn holding a Fireside Chat, at the end of which they took a few questions from the industry audience. 

A packed three-day Industry Days programme will see sessions with former James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and UK producer Nicky Bentham; A24 CEO Daniel Katz; and Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman among others.

The first DFF runs until November 28, having opened last night (November 20) with Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice Of Hind Rajab.

Topics