Qatar Football Association "QFA"
Khaleeji 2024 Promo

Commissioned by the Qatar Football Association for the 26th edition of Khaleeji Zain, this project set out to tell a story beyond the tournament. One that traveled across waters, through history, and into the heart of a shared Gulf identity.

We reimagined the players of the national team of Qatar not in the garments of their ancestors—clothed in traditional pearl-diving attire, boarding a Qatari banoosh, and sailing from Qatar to Kuwait. The destination was clear. But the story lived in the crossing.

As they sailed, they carried more than just ambition. They carried memories. Heritage. A culture shaped by the sea, by the hardship of diving, and by the resilience of unity. The pearl hunting scene wasn't a metaphor. It was a memory in motion—a tradition shared between Qatar and Kuwait, a bond forged long before any kickoff.

Visually, the film blends cultural texture with cinematic discipline. Built as a full animation under a tight timeline, every frame balances movement and stillness, pride and humility. The players are the storytellers—in an inherited journey shaped by sea, struggle, and shared memory. We composed the music and sound design entirely in-house, weaving in the voice of a traditional Qatari nahham—a sound once heard across the Gulf's pearl-diving voyages..

This wasn’t just about preparing for a tournament. It was about honoring where we’ve come from, and reminding the region what it means to arrive together.