Desert Drive-In Cultural Exchange

Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Los Angeles

In celebration of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, Desert Drive-In Cultural Exchange took place at Hummingbird Nest Ranch outside Los Angeles.

This one-night event honoured the shared passion for film and cinematography within both the United States and Qatar, with a modern take on the American drive-in movie theatre.

Guests had the opportunity to enjoy a film screening programme inspired by the rich history of nomadic Bedouin culture in an outdoor desert-like environment.

Film & Photography

Cultural Exchange Programs

Guests were welcomed to the ranch in the picturesque Simmi Valley with a cocktail reception featuring henna artists, a live oud player, and the opportunity to encounter a pair of falcons.

Curated by Doha Film Institute (DFI), the event featured screenings of several films by Arab filmmakers including Black Veil by A.J. Al-Thani, Unlucky Hamster by Abdulaziz Khashabi,The Present by Farah Nabulsi, Al Johara by Nora Al Subaei, Maha’mel by Dhabya Al-Muhannadi, Gub Gub by Nouf Al Sulaiti, and Al Tabbab by Khalifa Al-Janahi.

Guests also enjoyed an intimate, Qatari-inspired dinner by lantern-light. Desert Drive-In offered guests a unique experience to celebrate the unifying spirit of art through film.