Hollywood Bigwig Talks Qatar Ties and U. S. Film Tariffs
Steven Paul, a prominent figure in Hollywood, recently visited Qatar for a major industry event. His mission? To position Qatar as a key hub for film and TV production in the region.
Talks with Qatar’s Film Committee
Paul, who heads SP Media Group, engaged in discussions with Qatar’s Film Committee. However, no final deals have been announced yet.
The "Make Hollywood Great Again" Memo
Paul is known for his involvement in the "Make Hollywood Great Again" memo. This document proposed ideas to revitalize film and TV production in Los Angeles, including tariffs on U.S. productions shot abroad.
The memo sparked controversy, with President Trump tweeting about a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies. Paul, who advised on the memo, noted that Trump was particularly drawn to the idea of tariffs.
Paul’s Stance on Tariffs
In September, Trump revisited the tariff idea, but Paul remains skeptical. He believes tariffs on entertainment would be counterproductive. Instead, he advocates for more coproductions and tax incentives to encourage filming in multiple locations, including Qatar and the U.S.
A New Scheme to Keep Production in L.A.
Paul introduced a new financing scheme to retain production in Los Angeles, offering funding for projects shot at his studios.
Qatar’s Ambitions in Film and TV
The event in Qatar was part of the Doha Film Festival. The Film Committee, led by Hassan Al Thawadi, aims to expand Qatar’s film and TV industry. While their efforts have been low-key, they are now taking bold steps to grow the sector.
