2022 is turning out to be a very exciting year for Media Queen TV!  Not only are we five years old, but in addition, we are also counting down to some pretty amazing events. Later this year, we will be working with some of the best fixers in Qatar on the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East.  2023 will see the return of the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix Motor racing for the start of a 10-year contract.   With 2024 welcoming the delayed FINA World Championships to Doha, Qatar, there is much to be excited about.

This year, for one of our main projects, Media Queen TV has provided production support to the Host Broadcasters of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.   Alongside this, we found the time to collaborate with some great local fixers to allow us to work on some great international film projects.

Filming Journey

During the last year, we have seen our slate of projects grow rapidly, and we have been excited to welcome so many new teams, helping them with their filming journey in Qatar. Our most recent clients have included; IMG, Jackpot Productions, Wing, ManotoTV, TalkSport, Bewegte-Zeiten, Alkass Sport and FIFA TV.

Filming in Qatar can be a fascinating experience. This compact location can offer you and your team a vast array of locations within short commuting distances. You will find the oriental vibes of this small Middle Eastern Gulf sitting alongside the extensive water-fronted coastline, nestled amongst some of the world’s best cutting-edge architecture.  Look a little further, and you can find the famous singing sand dunes.

Looking for fixers in Qatar? – How can Media Queen TV help?

Media Queen TV can offer your production a seamless and tailored service to guide you through filming in Qatar. We pride ourselves on having international production knowledge to help understand your local requirements. We have had the pleasure of assisting some of the best international teams in capturing the true essence of Qatar.

Undoubtedly the main slate of our production support work in 2022 has been Football related. Not only have we been part of a momentous opening film which was part of the all-important FIFA World Cup draw, but we are also very excited to have been part of a documentary to be aired on German TV later this year.

If your plans for the future include filming in Qatar, you need to connect with a local production company that can guide you through the filming process.  However, as the Qatar media industry is new and evolving, the requirements are constantly changing. It makes sense to have a fixer in Qatar on your side.  We can use our wealth of experience to connect you and your team to some of our best collaborators in Qatar.

What are the logistics of filming in Qatar?

The logistics of filming in Qatar are easy. With the rapid infrastructure growth ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, it’s easy to get around the city. Smaller than some of its GCC neighbours, the central city of Doha is a 20-minute drive to any of the city’s attractions.  The soft sand dunes are only a 45-minute drive away from the city centre.  Qatar’s accessibility and traditional values make it a filming mecca for many productions looking for breathtaking Middle Eastern backgrounds.

If you are looking for fixers in Qatar, we can offer you a one-stop shop for all your filming needs.  With our strong network of contacts and local knowledge of filming practices, Media Queen is your ideal TV production partner in Qatar. Contact me to discuss your next project.

What’s it like living in Qatar?

When we announced that we were moving to Qatar in 2016, our families kept asking us, ‘where’s that then?’. Unlike its neighbours, Dubai and Saudi, this small peninsula in the gulf was relatively unknown.  Qatar land borders Saudi Arabia and is only an hour’s flight from its nearest neighbours, Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  It’s now known to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, alongside the safest.

In 2010 FIFA awarded Qatar the privilege of hosting the 2022 World Cup™. They are the first country in the Middle East ever to host this prestigious sporting event. As Qatar gears up to host this national event with years of ongoing construction, Qatar has already been used as a backdrop for filming a British drama.  Episode 1 of BBC1’s recently drama, McMafia, was filmed in Qatar. The opening scenes featured the turquoise blue seas and stunning backgrounds of the Westbay, alongside chase scenes in Souq Waqif.

In the two years since I arrived in Doha, I have come to love the country I now call my second home. I love the unspoilt beauty of the deserts against the stark contrasts of the new spiralling new cities being built to accommodate the FIFA World Cup. I have learned that my name means Falcon in Arabic, and there is many a camel named Shaheen. Yes, it does get stifling hot during the summer months, 50 degrees can be unbearable sometimes, but you learn to work around the humidity. Surprisingly, it has cooler winter months, making it a fantastic place to live and the main reason FIFA moved the 2022 World Cup to December of that year.

Qatar as a Location

Qatar is famously known for its pearl fishing industry before discovering Petroleum and natural gas. The country has successfully seen rapid expansion whilst trying to hold onto its traditional values. It’s a great place to live. However, quieter than its neighbours, the cultural history of Qatar is impressive. Every day as construction continues, we have new trams to ride and roads to drive on, the diversity continues, and we get one step nearer to the World Cup and the vision of 2030.  I love the family element, how safe this country is for my daughter, and how many opportunities it has given us.

The diverse landscape would provide a stunning backdrop for any production looking to shoot in the middle east with a more cultural feel. Qatar has everything from the bluest of seas and stunning deserts to sprawling cosmopolitan cities.  It famously has a film city built in the desert called Media City and could easily accommodate any large movie production looking for original locations. Qatar is well equipped with local kit companies for hiring equipment and snazzy hotels to feed and water your crew.

Watch this space

I am so excited about welcoming the international film crews who will be descending here. There is so much diversity that Qatar could quickly provide your following location set for any production genre.  The best thing about living in Qatar, the sun shines for most of the year. What else could a girl want? Living here allowed me to work in the media again, using my skills to connect with International Film Crews and help them locally. I hope this series of blogs will introduce you to Qatar, show you behind the scenes and give a glimpse of what you can expect to see when you visit.

Have you been to Qatar? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts. Get in touch with the team.