AGP Executive Report

Theatre: Qatar Museums will premiere Again at Souq Waqif’s Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre from Oct. 27–31. The musical brings South African performers and Palestinian testimony together to explore struggles for freedom and self-determination. Qatari Cinema: The upcoming Doha Film Festival will present four Qatari feature films, including a drama about a retired pilot and a documentary on Qatar’s first rhythmic gymnasts at the world championships—a milestone for the country’s screen industry. Fashion & Design: At M7, artistic director Ilham Mestour is leading a five-day hairstyling programme that brings international professionals to Doha for demonstrations and creative exchange. Student Theatre: Qatar Foundation’s Showtime! wrapped its sixth edition with 50 students from six schools performing a bilingual production alongside the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Qatar Screen: Doha Film Festival 2026 will spotlight four Qatari features and a new original series, marking a milestone for the country’s growing screen industry. The films include Jamal Al Khanji’s Jodari Meno and Hamad Al Hajri’s When the News Breaks You. Art & Heritage: A Doha exhibition is showcasing Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage through art and craftsmanship. Live Music: Msheireb Properties has announced the fourth Baraha Musical Concert for January 14–15, featuring local singers and the Al-Jazeera Orchestra and Choir in a programme rooted in Arabic and Arabian Peninsula musical traditions. Community Culture: Indian performers brought classical dance and music to the 101st Wednesday Fiesta, while Rajasthan Pariwar Qatar marked its 10th anniversary with a Bollywood-themed celebration.

Doha Film Festival: Four Qatari feature films and the original series Elzam will premiere in November, marking a major moment for the country’s film and TV industry. The features include Jamal Al Khanji’s Jodari Meno and Hamad Al Hajri’s When the News Breaks You. Museum of Islamic Art: A new exhibition traces Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage through traditional ceramics, textiles, jewellery and garments. Live Music: Msheireb Properties has announced the fourth Baraha Musical Concert. Qatari Music: Composer and conductor Nasser Sahim recently showcased Qatari musical heritage with the Brussels Philharmonic.

Live Music: Msheireb’s Baraha Musical Concert returns on January 14–15, 2027, bringing emerging Qatari singers and established vocalists together with the Al Jazeera Orchestra and Choir for two nights of regional musical heritage. Events: Tickets are on sale for UFC Fight Night in Doha on November 21, headlined by Jiří Procházka versus Navajo Stirling. Collecting Culture: CardzCon’s Doha debut drew more than 5,000 visitors and 70-plus vendors, showcasing the city’s growing trading-card community. Film: The Doha Film Festival’s 2026 international feature competition features 15 films from four continents, with a strong focus on female filmmakers and Middle Eastern stories. Exhibitions: Qatar Museums is set to present Beyti Beytak – My Home is Your Home, exploring architecture and belonging, alongside an exhibition tracing designer Erdem Moralioglu’s creative journey. On Stage: Qatar Foundation’s student production Showtime! is helping young performers find their voices, while Sounds of Mexico brought orchestral music to Doha.

Live Events: Tickets are on sale for UFC Fight Night in Doha on November 21, headlined by Jiří Procházka vs Navajo Stirling at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. Doha Concerts: Filipino stars KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde returned to Al Mayassa Theatre on October 9 with their “In Between” tour, drawing an emotional response from the Filipino community. Qatari Music: Composer Dr Nasser Sahim brought four works inspired by Qatari and Gulf traditions to Brussels, performed with the Brussels Philharmonic and musicians from Qatar Music Academy. Young Performers: Qatar Foundation’s bilingual musical “The Secret of the Garden” brought 50 students from six schools together with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Film and Visual Arts: Doha Film Festival’s 2026 competition features 15 films from four continents, with a focus on female filmmakers and Middle Eastern stories; Qatar Museums also has exhibitions planned on designer Erdem Moralıoğlu and architecture and belonging. Collectors: CardzCon’s sold-out Doha debut gathered traders and fans for two days of cards, collectibles and community events.

Live Music: Filipino stars KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde returned to Doha on October 9, filling Al Mayassa Theatre with songs from their “In Between” tour and drawing an emotional response from the Filipino community. Young Performers: Qatar Foundation’s “The Secret of the Garden” brought 50 students from six schools to the stage in a bilingual Arabic-English musical, accompanied by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Qatari Music Abroad: Composer Nasser Sahim presented four original works with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, blending Arab and European traditions in a concert marking the orchestra’s 25th season. Cinema: Doha Film Festival’s 2026 International Feature Competition will showcase 15 films from four continents. Design and Heritage: Qatar Museums is preparing exhibitions on designer Erdem Moralioglu’s work and architecture, belonging and home in “Beyti Beytak – My Home is Your Home.”

Qatari Culture Abroad: Visit Qatar’s Garden Souq welcomed more than 1,700 visitors in Singapore, showcasing Qatari cuisine, crafts and live oud music during F1 race week. Doha Film Festival: The 2026 International Feature Competition features 15 films from four continents, with a focus on female filmmakers and Middle Eastern stories. Museum Highlights: Qatar Museums will present Beyti Beytak, an exhibition on architecture and belonging, alongside a showcase of fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu’s creative journey. Music and Art: Doha audiences can catch “Sounds of Mexico,” bringing orchestral music to the city, and Asia+ Festival’s “Canvas of Sound,” pairing live music with calligraphy.

Qatari Culture Abroad: Visit Qatar’s Garden Souq drew more than 1,700 visitors in Singapore, showcasing local cuisine, crafts and live oud music during F1 race week. Music: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra brought Mexican composers and rhythms to Doha in “Sounds of Mexico,” part of the Qatar-Mexico Year of Culture. Architecture: Qatar Museums will present “Beyti Beytak – My Home is Your Home” at Fahad bin Ali Palace from October 26, exploring home, hospitality and shared spaces through works by more than 40 practitioners. Fashion: M7’s Erdem retrospective opens October 26 with more than 150 pieces tracing the designer’s career. Film: Doha Film Festival has unveiled 15 films from four continents for its International Feature Competition, with a focus on female filmmakers and stories from the region.

Qatar Museums: Doha’s October 26 exhibition season brings two major shows: Beyti Beytak – My Home is Your Home at Fahad bin Ali Palace explores architecture, belonging and hospitality, with works by more than 40 practitioners and new research on Doha’s urban growth. Fashion & Design: At M7, Erdem: About Time, About Her traces designer Erdem Moralıoğlu’s creative journey through more than 150 garments, sketches and archival pieces; it runs through December 26. Doha Film Festival: The 2026 International Feature Competition lineup features 15 films from four continents, with a spotlight on female filmmakers and stories from the Middle East.

Fashion & Design: Qatar Museums will bring more than 150 pieces tracing designer Erdem Moralıoğlu’s 20-year career to M7 from October 27 to December 26. Architecture & Home: “Beyti Beytak: My Home is Your Home” opens at Fahad bin Ali Palace on October 26, exploring home, hospitality and shared spaces through works by more than 40 practitioners. Film: The Doha Film Festival has unveiled 15 films from four continents for its 2026 International Feature Competition, with a focus on female filmmakers and stories from the Middle East.

Doha Film Festival: DFF announced 15 films for its 2026 International Feature Competition, spanning four continents. Eleven received Doha Film Institute grants, and seven were directed by women. Weekend in Doha: Live music and collectibles feature in the Oct. 8–10 lineup, including Abdulaziz Louis at QNCC and CardzCon at the Sheraton Grand Doha. Qatar Arts Abroad: The M. F. Husain Museum at Qatar Foundation’s Lawh Wa Qalam was showcased at TIME100 Art in New York. Qatar Museums is also set to present an exhibition on contemporary craft practices in Mexico. Textile Culture: Doha’s Festive Exhibition opened to strengthen creative and business ties between Pakistan’s and Qatar’s textile industries.

Doha Film Festival: The festival has unveiled 15 titles for its November International Feature Competition, including four Palestinian films. They include Thirteen in Gaza, a drama set in a displacement camp, and the world premiere of Rabab Khamis’ documentary Sama. Qatar’s 2036 Olympic Bid: Qatar is among seven countries in talks with the IOC about hosting the Games, building on its preparations for the 2030 Asian Games. Qatar Museums: Upcoming exhibitions spotlight contemporary craft practices in Mexico and the work of M. F. Husain, whose museum was showcased at a TIME100 Art event in New York. Doha’s Cultural Calendar: The Qatar Boat Show is set to open on November 4, while the Culture Ministry is due to host a musical evening this Saturday. Earlier events have also celebrated Qatar’s maritime musical heritage with Little Naham.

Museum Spotlight: Qatar Foundation’s Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum was showcased at TIME100 Art in New York, bringing the artist’s work and the museum’s collection to an international audience. Crafts and Design: Qatar Museums will present “Expanded Tradition: Contemporary Craft Practices in Mexico,” while Doha’s eighth Festive Exhibition highlights textile ties between Pakistan and Qatar. Local Arts: Al Markhiya Gallery is set to open “Silent Witnesses,” an exhibition by Palestinian artist Majdulin Nasrallah. Music and Heritage: “Little Naham” is bringing Qatar’s maritime musical heritage to a new generation, as the Culture Ministry prepares a musical evening in Doha. Creative Community: Geekdom is nurturing Qatar’s growing creative scene, with Japanese pop culture also serving as a bridge for cultural exchange.

Qatar-US-Iran Mediation: Qatar says US-Iran talks are continuing, with Doha (and Pakistan) exchanging messages to reduce tensions after seven months of conflict. Olympics 2036 Bid Watch: The IOC confirms Qatar as an interested party for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, joining India, Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Türkiye and South Korea as presentations begin. Messi Farewell in Argentina: Lionel Messi ended his national-team career with a 3-0 win over Benin at Monumental Stadium, scoring the third as Argentina celebrated with music and fireworks. Hollywood Deal Impact: Paramount’s $81–$110bn Warner Bros. Discovery merger is complete, creating Skydance and reshaping streaming, TV and news under one umbrella. Qatar Arts & Culture Abroad: Qatar Foundation’s Lawh Wa Qalam: M F Husain Museum was showcased at TIME100 Art in New York, bringing the artist’s legacy to a global audience. Craft & Fashion: The 8th Festive Exhibition in Doha highlights Pakistan’s textile heritage and contemporary designers, strengthening Qatar-Pakistan cultural and trade links. Community & Animal Welfare: Mall of Qatar marked World Animal Day with “Every Paw Deserves a Home,” supporting local rescue efforts and adoption. Social Support Tech: Mada launched the Taqdeer platform, a digital reference to help senior citizens access Qatar’s services more easily.

Olympics Watch: The IOC has confirmed India and Qatar among seven countries in continuous dialogue to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, with Germany, Hungary, South Korea, South Africa and Türkiye also in the running; the IOC set an Oct. 31 deadline for interested parties and will have candidates present projects in November, with a host vote expected in 2029. Hollywood Business: Paramount has officially closed its $110bn takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating Skydance under David Ellison, uniting major studios, HBO Max and Paramount+, and networks like CNN and CBS after antitrust settlements. Qatar Sports & Community: Qatar Sports for All Federation wrapped its “Summer of Sports for All 2026” running series at Aspire with 1,362 participants, highlighting family participation and inclusive access to sport. Space & Learning at Katara: Katara Cultural Village is hosting World Space Week 2026 at Al Thuraya Planetarium with daily astronomy shows, workshops and hands-on activities for children and young people. Senior Support Tech: Mada launched the “Taqdeer” platform, a unified digital reference to help Qatar’s senior citizens and caregivers find services across health, social protection, mobility, assistive technology and more. Padel Milestone: Qatar’s padel team celebrated a historic Asian Games gold on the sport’s debut, with federation leaders calling it a proud step for Qatari sport. Film Festival Win: Iceland’s Reykjavík International Film Festival crowned Marine Atlan’s “La Gradiva” with the Golden Puffin.

Qatar Sports Spotlight: Qatar’s padel debut at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games ended in a historic gold for the Nawaf brothers, while the wider medal push delivered 18 medals (6-6-6) and helped Doha 2030 preparations, says QOC’s Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain. Doha 2030 Handover: International media highlighted Qatar receiving the Asian Games flag and unveiling the Doha 2030 identity after Japan’s closing ceremony. Arts & Culture: NUQ at Northwestern University in Qatar launched “All That Is Unseen,” an immersive Media Majlis exhibition running to Jan 21, 2027. Inclusion Through Creativity: HOPE Qatar launched the Sadeeqi Inclusion Championship 2026 to shift mindsets via performing arts and visual expression for 200,000 students nationwide. Tourism Activation: Visit Qatar brings “The Garden Souq” to Singapore’s Raffles Hotel (Oct 7–9) with oud, Qatari food, crafts and interactive stations. Combat Sports in Doha: Power Slap lands in Doha on Nov 19 with Power Slap 27 at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. Global Sports Watch: Lionel Messi’s final Argentina match vs Benin is set for Oct 6 at Estadio Monumental.