Doha, Qatar: Mohammed Al Ibrahim, director and writer of Qatar's latest feature film, Sa3oud Wainah, said the film was proudly developed as a homegrown project that spotlights the country's creative talent both in front of and behind the camera.

"Our goal was to make a Qatari film, by Qatari actors, for our community and the wider Arab world because we speak the same language and share the same culture," he said. Al Ibrahim added that the production brings together artists whose work is rooted in local culture yet speaks to universal audiences.

A 90-minute mystery thriller, Sa3oud Wainah unfolds during a casual night at a remote farmhouse, where brothers Hamood and Sa3oud reprise a childhood magic trick passed down by their late father. Blending folklore, suspense and psychological tension, the film explores brotherhood, guilt, faith and the line between illusion and truth.

Al Ibrahim said the film's cultural authenticity, including its all-male cast, reflects the story's specific setting. "Because the drama takes place among young friends at a farmhouse, it wouldn't be typical in our tradition to have a female character in that environment," he said. He said that women play vital roles across the production, citing Qatari editor Maryam Al‐Sahli and VFX artist Maryam Mohammadi among the key creatives.

The film took about four months to develop, with intense research undertaken to ensure that the "plot is intense, thrilling and also comedic." In addition to casting friends whom he has known for over 15 years, Al Ibrahim also auditioned to cast established and emerging talent.

While the film is grounded in Qatari life, its themes are designed to resonate across the Gulf and the broader Arab world. "For us, this is a humble step that carries a message: Qatar's artists, young and old, men and women, are building a vibrant film culture," concluded Al Ibrahim.

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