James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' celebrates MENA premiere in Doha

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Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller on the red carpet in Qatar: James Gray's new thriller 'Paper Tiger' celebrates its MENA premiere at the Doha Film Festival. The festival runs from November 19 to 27 and is in its second edition, according to industry trade magazine Deadline. For film fans in the region, this is the first official opportunity to see the film – however, the available reports do not yet provide details on the plot or release date.

Seven Films on the Red Carpet

In total, the Doha Film Festival has announced seven films for its Gala Screenings and Special Screenings. 'Paper Tiger' is the most prominent highlight: According to Deadline, Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller round out the cast of the Gray film; Variety lists the title in the same selection. Both sources speak of 'Gala Screenings' and 'Special Screenings' – a curated program, then, rather than a classic competition.

While Gala Screenings typically bundle star-studded premieres, Special Screenings often serve as a platform for exceptional works that don't fit into the main competition. The Qatari organizers are apparently adopting this distinction directly.

What Else Is in the Program

Beyond 'Paper Tiger', the sources name three additional films. Variety highlights the documentary 'Edward Said: Between Worlds' by Maiken Baird – it traces the life and legacy of the Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said. Also in the gala program: Bruno Dumont's 'Red Rocks', which offers 'a perspective' according to Variety – the full description text is cut off in the available excerpt.

Deadline adds another title from Lebanon: a film set in Beirut by Rami Kodeih, which is also expected to run on the red carpet. That makes four of the seven announced films known by name. Which three additional program items – for instance from sections like 'Made in Qatar', 'Contemporary World Cinema', or short films – will be added is not clear from the available reports.

Qatar's Second Attempt as a Festival Location

The Doha Film Festival goes into its second round this year. Qatar is one of the Gulf states that have invested heavily in cultural infrastructure in recent years – from museum buildings and film funds to major events. With a gala series featuring stars like Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, the festival sends a clear signal: it wants to gain international visibility, not just as a host venue for FIFA World Cups.

Whether 'Paper Tiger' itself has a chance at prizes in Doha or merely screens out of competition, both sources leave open. They speak only of 'Gala Screenings' and 'Special Screenings' – not of a competition program with jury decisions.