To elevate Arabic-language storytelling
Program will involve the selection of up to five local and regional projects to develop each year
The DFI x Miramax Writer’s Program will involve the selection of up to five local and regional projects to develop each year
The program will support DFI’s series program and original content development in the region
Miramax, the award-winning global film and television studio owned by beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN) and Paramount Global, announced today the DFI x Miramax Writer’s Program, a major partnership with Doha Film Institute (DFI) aimed at supporting the development of premium, local Arabic-language content across the Middle East and North Africa. The program will provide training, mentorship, and production and distribution resources for both emerging and established Arab writers, offering critical support for their projects, contributing to the expansion of the region’s series content output, and strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading media hub in the Middle East.
The DFI x Miramax Writer’s Program will involve the selection of up to five local and regional projects to develop each year. The Writer’s Program will tie into DFI’s existing Series Programs, with the goal of extending the reach and impact of these initiatives. The collaboration between Miramax, renowned for its film & television productions, and DFI, the leading film institute in the Middle East, addresses a key gap in the region’s media industry by offering not only development support but also direct access to Miramax’s vast distribution and sales network to reach audiences worldwide.
“At Miramax, we believe great storytelling knows no borders,” said CEO, Jonathan Glickman. “This partnership with DFI is a powerful step toward amplifying emerging Arabic-language voices and sharing their stories with audiences worldwide.”
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of DFI said, “At Doha Film Institute, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to unite, inspire, and celebrate cultural identity. Our partnership with Miramax marks an exciting new chapter in championing original Arabic-language content that reflects the depth and diversity of our region. By creating compelling stories in our own voice, we not only preserve our heritage but also bring communities closer together through the universal language of cinema.”
Miramax has had a standout year across both film and television, with highlights including Academy Award®-nominated The Holdovers; The Beekeeper (which grossed over $160 million worldwide); indie-hit Strange Darling; Golden Globe-nominated series The Gentlemen which launched in March 2024 ranking #1 for three weeks on Netflix and was renewed for a second season; and the fourth installment of the Bridget Jones franchise – Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which premiered February 14, 2025. Upcoming Miramax projects include: Roofman, starring Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst and Peter Dinklage, set to premiere October 10, 2025, with Paramount Pictures distributing domestically and in the UK; the next installment in the Scary Movie franchise, set to premiere Summer 2026, distributed globally by Paramount Pictures, with Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory Wayans writing and producing; Colman Domingo’s directorial debut Scandalous, starring Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson; and The Faculty remake, being written by breakout talent Drew Hancock.