Four things to do in Qatar this weekend (July 29-Aug 1)

From an Abba-themed brunch to a screening of a homegrown zombie movie to the launch of this year’s summer festival, there are some interesting things going on in Qatar this weekend. Here are the highlights:

Movie screenings

The Doha Film Institute is screening four short films by Qatari and GCC directors tomorrow (July 30) and Friday, July 31 at the Museum of Islamic Art. The films are part of DFI’s “Hekayat Khaleejiya” campaign to highlight movies from the region.

The screenings will begin at 7pm on both days, and will be followed by a question and answer session with the film’s crew.

Films include Qatari director Ali Al Ansari’s zombie movie Qarar, Chai Haleeb by Kuwaiti director Mishal Al Hulail, Koshk by UAE director Abdulla Al Kaabi, and Bosala, a Saudi Arabian film by Mujtaba Saeed.

Tickets to the screenings cost QR35 for the public, and QR25 for students, and can be bought online here or at the MIA DFI ticket outlet on Thursday from noon to 8pm and on Friday from 2 to 8pm.

India photo exhibition

A new exhibition showcasing the beauty of landscapes, people and experiences in the Indian subcontinent has opened at the Qatar Photographic Society (Building 18) in Katara Cultural Village.

Titled Indoi, the Greek name for India, the month-long exhibition features 42 color and black and white photographs from Rajasthan and Kerala, two of India’s most colorful states.

Photographed by Qatari photographers Hamad Al Shemmari, Abdulla Anwari and Ameera Fareed over a month-long period, the exhibition highlights some of the states’ most picturesque natural formations, native inhabitants and children. Entry is free and the exhibit is open from 9am to 11pm daily.

Qatar summer festival

Residents looking for an all-inclusive fun-filled weekend can head over to the Doha Exhibition Center for the Qatar Tourism Authority’s month-long summer festival, which begins on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The DEC is being transformed into an “Entertainment City” for the festivities featuring popular kids’ characters such as Barney, the Teletubbies and Dora, and various rides and games.

The 15,000 sq meter festival zone will also have a food court and a mini trade fair, with handicrafts, clothing, perfumes and accessories for sale. For a detailed schedule of events, see the festival’s website here.

Abba brunch

Fans of Mamma Mia and Swedish pop group Abba are invited to an Abba-themed brunch at the Grand Hyatt Doha from 12:30 to 3:30pm on Friday, July 31. Special prizes will be distributed to attendees dressed in the best 70s costumes.