Doha Film Festival Opens Nov. 17 with Participation of 87 Films

Doha, October 31 (QNA) - Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), the annual cultural celebration of Doha Film Institute (DFI) to be held from November 17 to 24, 2012,, has announced the juries to select the winners of the Arab Film Competition, the only competition at any regional film festival dedicated wholly to honouring Arab cinema talent. This year, DTFF will feature over 87 movies from 34 countries, with numerous nations making their debut at the Festival through the Arab Film Competition. The fourth edition of the Festival will open with Mira Nair's critically acclaimed The Reluctant Fundamentalist, in addition to showcasing an internationally diverse programme of over 50 films in distinct themed segments. Public participation will be central with the Festival hosting an array of large community events, including Family Day, as well as panel discussions, networking events and educational filmmaking programmes including Doha Talks and Doha Projects. The members of the four juries, drawn from across the world, include internationally acclaimed film professionals, authors and cultural thought leaders. They will evaluate the Arab Film Competition's three segments - Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary and Short Film - as well as the 'Made in Qatar' segment of the festival, devoted to films made by Qatar-based talent. The awards have total prize money of over US$440,000. The Feature Narrative jury will be headed by renowned Tunisian actress Hend Sabry (The Yacoubian Building, Whatever Lola Wants and Asmaa). The other jury members are: Indian director Ashutoush Gowarikar (Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar); Dr. Emad Amralla Sultan, Deputy General Manager of Cultural Affairs of Katara Cultural Village; renowned Turkish filmmaker Yesim Ustaoglu (The Trace, Journey to the Sun); and critically acclaimed Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul, who writes under the pen-name Yasmina Khadra (The Swallows of Kabul, The Attack). The jury for Documentary Narrative comprises: Syrian documentary filmmaker, producer, and scriptwriter Hala Al Abdalla (I Am the One Who Takes Flowers to Her Grave), Qatari director Hafiz Ali Ali (The Oryx Return, Scents of Shadows, Cab Driver), and renowned Iranian artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat (Women Without Men). The short films at the competition will be evaluated by Joana Hadjithomas, Tahani Rached, and Nadir Mokneche. Appraising the 'Made in Qatar' showcase, which features the largest line-up yet this year with 19 films including 15 World Premieres, are: acclaimed Qatari author Waded Al Kuwairi; Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker, Haifaa Al Mansour (Women Without Shadows); and founder of the Qatar Fine Arts Society and renowned visual artist Faraj Daham. Abdulaziz Al-Khater, Chief Executive Officer, Doha Film Institute, said: "We are thankful to the jury members, coming from around the world, to evaluate our Arab Film Competition entries. The jury members will evaluate the films to international standards thus ensuring that our films are benchmarked against the best. We are setting the bar high to ensure that the finest Arab filmmaking talent get the due recognition and international recognition through the Doha Tribeca Film Festival." This year, Doha Tribeca Film Festival will feature over 87 movies from 34 countries, with numerous nations making their debut at the Festival through the Arab Film Competition. The fourth edition will open with Mira Nair's The Reluctant Fundamentalist. This year, the Festival has expanded its scope to eight days, providing audiences a comprehensive and enriching cultural experience with new screening venues in Doha. Indoor and outdoor screenings will take place at Katara Cultural Village, Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA), and Souq Waqif. Public participation will be central with the Festival hosting an array of large community events, including Family Day, as well as panel discussions, networking events and educational filmmaking programmes including Doha Talks and Doha Projects. The events and programme at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival underscores Doha Film Institute's mandate to provide audiences with opportunities for education and entertainment in important community spaces. The DTFF will salute the power of Algerian cinema with a special showcase, 'Tribute to Algerian Cinema: Caught Between Past and Present.' The special screening of four films that capture the frustrations, resilience and resounding hope of Algeria's people in the post-colonial era also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence. Since independence, Algeria has witnessed several powerful cinematic works that reflect the nation's struggles to come to terms with the fall-out of the violent revolution. Four such films, Rome Rather Than You (Roma Wa La N'touma) directed by Tariq Teguia Winds of the Aures (Le Vent des Aures) by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina; Omar Gatlato by Merzak Allouache; and Nouba of the Women of Mont Chenoua (La Nouba des Femmes du Mont-Chenoua) by Assia Djeber are part of DTFF's tribute. Critically celebrated classic, The Battle of Algiers by the late Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo will screen as part of the complimentary community screenings at the Sony Open Air Cinema on the Katara Esplanade. DTFF will be also screening Algerian films in its competition section including The Repentant (Le Repenti) by Merzak Allouache; Fidai by Damien Ounouri and Goodbye Morocco by Nadir Mokneche and the film set in Algeria O My Body! (O Mon Corps!) by Laurent Ait Benalla. The tribute culminates with a live performance by renowned Algerian jazz musician Safy Boutella at the official Awards ceremony on November 22, who will perform a special tribute to the nation. The tribute showcase has been organised with support from Agence Algerienne pour le Rayonnement Culturel. (QNA)