Qatar has introduced a film and TV cash rebate that could cover 50% of eligible production expenditures, in a move designed to attract producers from all over the world.

The new Qatar Screen Production Incentive combines a 40% base rebate with a 10% uplift for productions that meet certain requirements, such as hiring Qatari talent, investing in local training and promoting Qatari culture.

It’s unclear whether the incentive is only for live-action projects. Kidscreen has reached out to Media City Qatar, which supports the development of the country’s media industry, to learn if it will also cover animation.

The Qatar Film Committee, part of Media City Qatar, introduced the incentive during the Doha Film Festival, which runs from November 20 to 28. The org will administer the funds, and an application window for the incentive will open in Q2 next year.

The 50% rebate is part of QFC’s  effort to develop a creative economy with global ambition, said chairman Hassan Al Thawadi. The committee describes the incentive as one of the most generous schemes in the Gulf region, and it replaces a 30% rebate for films that local nonprofit Doha Film Institute used to administer.

Could Qatar emerge as a new hub for kids content production? Its broadcasters have been making more international acquisitions in recent years to entertain this audience, which makes it a possibility. Local telecom Ooredoo carries multiple kids channels, including Nick, Cartoon Network and Spacetoon. And domestic media operator beIN Media Group also has a kids channel that’s stocked with series from WBD, Disney and ABC Commercial.

Photo of Doha, Qatar by Radoslaw Prekurat on Unsplash