Qatar - National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce

Doha Tribeca Film Festival Inspires
New Generation of Filmmakers
“The Doha Film Institute’s goal is
to build a sustainable film industry
in Qatar with strong links to the
international film community. Film
can do more than just entertain:
it can educate, inspire and unite
communities. We want to nurture and
support filmmakers as we continue to
grow Qatar as a cultural hub for film.”
H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint
Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
In less than two years, the Doha Tribeca
Film Festival (DTFF) has become one of
the leading film festivals in the Middle East.
The 2010 festival showcased 51 films from
35 countries and attracted international and
regional film stars, filmmakers, and tens of
thousands of film fans.
The DTFF was the brainchild of H.E.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa
Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums
Authority Board of Trustees. It was founded
in 2008 through a unique partnership between
the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) and
the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, which
was co-founded by Jane Rosenthal, Craig
Hatkoff and Robert DeNiro. The project was
spearheaded by Amanda Palmer, Executive
Director of the DTFF.
Similar to the Tribeca Film Festival in
New York City, the DTFF is dedicated to
engaging and inspiring the local community
and promoting filmmaking talent.
Last May in Cannes, France, DTFF
announced the founding of the
Doha Film Institute – an organization
dedicated to film appreciation,
education, f ina ncing,
production, and building a longterm
sustainable film industry in
Qatar. Martin Scorsese’s World
Cinema Foundation, Mira Nair’s
Maisha Film Lab, and Tribeca
Enterprises have partnered with
the Doha Film Institute.
The inaugural DTFF was held
in late 2009 and featured 31 films
from around the world. Over 35,000
people attended the three-day event.
That year, the Festival launched a
series of year-round educational
programs to train local and regional
filmmakers. According to DTFF
H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, daughter
of the Emir, who was responsible for bringing the Tribeca Film Festival
to Doha
Executive Director Amanda
Palmer, Doha had only
eight local filmmakers at
that time.
2010 marked the debut
of the Arab Film Competition
at DTFF. Juried prizes
were awarded for Best Arab
Fi l m a nd B e s t A r a b
Filmmaker, showcasing the
richness of Arab talent and
creativity.
“We are proud that our
efforts to stimulate the
growth of filmmaking in
the region are being met
with such enthusiasm,”
commented Ms. Palmer at
the close of the 2010
Festival. “And we are
excited that our local and
international guests will
be able to discover new
storytellers and cinematic
gems that have the potential
to earn global action.”
42 NUSACC • www.nusacc.org