The second edition of the Doha Photography Festival, organized by the Qatar Photography Center under the Ministry of Culture, kicked off this evening (Tuesday). The festival reaffirms the importance of photography as a powerful medium for expressing Qatari identity and highlighting the beauty and depth of its heritage.
The festival runs until November 9, in the area opposite Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal, featuring the participation of eight leading international photography companies. The event further establishes Qatar’s position as a regional and global hub for art and culture, offering a dynamic platform that fosters the growth and development of the country’s photography community.
On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al-Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, stated that this year’s edition has witnessed a remarkable expansion in both local and international participation, along with a diverse program of events targeting all segments of society.
His Excellency emphasized that this edition is distinguished by the crowning of the winners of the first “Doha Photography Award,” whose names will be announced tomorrow across six main competitive categories.
He explained that one of the festival’s primary goals is to support and encourage Qatari photographers, with a dedicated award category for local participants, in addition to a special category for children and youth.
Dr. Al-Ali added that the festival is not limited to exhibitions but includes a wide range of accompanying activities, such as specialized workshops and interactive zones designed for children and families, ensuring that the festival engages the entire community.
He also revealed that future editions of the festival will expand to include videography, noting that this direction was reflected in the current edition’s “Space Festival” exhibition, one of the rare showcases featuring two Qatari photographers who participated in NASA events, underscoring the global aspirations of the festival.
His Excellency affirmed that upcoming editions will witness further development and expansion, emphasizing that photography and videography are among the most significant art forms of our time.
The Doha Photography Festival aims to promote photographic art in Qatar, showcasing its importance as a tool for documentation and expression, while inspiring the community through the stories and experiences of photographers, promoting photo tourism, and preserving Qatar’s visual and cultural heritage.
In this context, Mr. Jassim Ahmed Al-Buainain, Director of the Qatar Photography Center, stated that the Ministry of Culture aims, through the festival, to provide an ideal platform for showcasing artistic works, offering local photographers the opportunity to connect directly with audiences and exchange expertise with peers from around the world.
He added that the festival’s objectives include enhancing the role of photography in Qatar, highlighting its importance as a medium for storytelling and creative documentation, inspiring the public through photographers’ journeys, promoting photographic tourism, and developing professional skills through advanced training programs.
Mr. Al-Buainain also noted the participation of major international companies such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and Insta360, alongside Qatar 4Cam and iBrand Connect, emphasizing that this strong presence will enrich visitors’ experiences and showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the world of photography.
The festival features a wide array of activities and exhibitions catering to all photography enthusiasts. The program includes 24 solo exhibitions and one group exhibition, along with a special showcase for the Doha Photography Award and another dedicated to astrophotography. For lovers of photography history, vintage photo and antique camera exhibits are also on display, alongside an analog photography zone.
In addition, the festival hosts a main stage for lectures and panel discussions led by world-renowned photographers, with daily talks and workshops aimed at knowledge exchange and skill development. These sessions offer participants a unique opportunity to learn from top professionals and refine their artistic and technical approaches to photography.
A special area for children provides educational and entertainment experiences for younger generations, along with interactive spaces for the public, ensuring an inclusive and engaging experience for families.
The opening day featured two key sessions:
A lecture titled “Narrative in Photographic Storytelling” by Eissa Ibrahim, and
A workshop titled “Capturing Attention in Seconds: The Art of Engaging Video Creation” by James Arleta.