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| A scene from Black Gold |
With the third edition of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) set to open in less than two weeks, films fans are looking forward to what has been described as “a bigger and better” installment of an event which has become one of the most significant happenings in the local cultural calendar.
With the Doha Film Institute (DFI) and Quinta Communications co-funded film, Black Gold, set to open the festival, fans will get the chance to see stars such as Antonio Banderas and Freida Pinto as well as director, Jean Jacques Annaud take to the red carpet for the world premiere of the film which was partly shot in Qatar.
Another international star set to walk the red carpet and participate in DTFF this year is Omar Sharif. The world-renowned Egyptian actor and Academy Award-nominated star of Dr Zhivago will take part in a number of special sessions at universities and other locations throughout Doha festival organisers explained yesterday.
The festival’s closing night feature will be Frenchman Luc Besson’s film The Lady, based on the story of Aung San Suu Kyi’s fight for democracy in Myanmar and her relationship with her husband Michael Aris.
The final night of the festival will also feature a performance from UK singing sensation, Leona Lewis, who will take to the stage at the Katara Open Air Theatre.
Other musical performances will feature African icon, Angelique Kidjo, Moroccan singer, OUM and jazz performer Somi, who will all perform throughout the festival, reflecting its strong emphasis on female empowerment this year.
Other highlights of the festival will include the family day programme, this year extended over three days and featuring a 3D screening of Cat in Boots (Puss in Boots) on October 28, as well as a screening of Spy Kids to mark the film’s 10th anniversary, and a number of other activities to engage families.
The festival is also paying tribute to the late Syrian director Omar Amiralay, with a screening of his documentary Everyday Life in a Syrian Village.
Japanese cinema will be showcased in a section dedicated to short films from the nation, in partnership with Japan’s Short Films Festival and displaying a number of award winning Japanese short films.
DFI executive director Amanda Palmer said: “The Special Screenings at this year’s festival have something for all sensibilities, for audiences who love drama and horror to others who might want to experience stories of politics, dance or sports.”
“Our programming team has put together an incredible selection of global films that will provide a diverse set of perspectives and cinematic experiences for local and international audiences,” she added.
After some 43,000 fans flocked to Katara and other locations across Doha to participate in the festival last year, Palmer said she is hoping to see at least 50,000, but preferably more, at this year’s edition.
And with the participation of more international stars set to be announced in the coming weeks, it seems that fans will once again get the chance to see some of their favourite names from the big screen right here in Qatar.
