A year of planning and months of anticipation have finally come to their conclusion, as the awards for DTFF’s Arab Film Competition and Made in Qatar programme are presented this evening. Hopefully you’ve managed to get out to lots of the films in competition – everybody is wondering which films are neck and neck and, of course, what the jury’s final verdict will be.

Tweet us at #DTFF12 and let us know who you think will win.

Led by jury president Hend Sabry, our jurors have been hard at work all week, watching films, taking in their stories, deciding which ones are the most impressive, which ones most touched them, which ones are true triumphs of filmmaking. Yesterday, the jury sat together to discuss their opinions and make the tough choice: which films, filmmakers and performances shone the most this year. Now, it’s time to celebrate – this evening, at 7:00 PM at the Al Rayyan Theatre, the acceptance speeches are prepared and hearts will be racing as the Arab Film Competition Awards Ceremony concludes a week of wonderful Arab filmmaking.

Hosted by acclaimed Qatari tennis star-turned-TV sports commentator for Al Jazeera Sports Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari, the ceremony features a performance by acclaimed Algerian musician Safy Boutella as part of DTFF’s Tribute to Algeria. This year, the awards ceremony is open to the public, so be sure to come by to celebrate recent accomplishments in Arab filmmaking.

Today is also the first day of DTFF’s Family Days programming. Today and tomorrow, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, bring the whole family down to Katara to enjoy free family-friendly live entertainment, creative workshops and interactive experiences at locations throughout the Cultural Village. On Friday, 23 November from 2:00 PM until midnight, and on Saturday, 24 November from noon until 8:00 PM, offerings for kids include free film screenings, arts and crafts, rocket-making, sports, storytelling, puppetry, music, dance and kite-making.

Kids will feel like movie stars on a special kids’ red carpet for two films – bring them on down and give them an early taste of glamour and glitz! On Friday, 23 November at 5:00 PM at the Katara Opera House, it’s the latest installment of everyone’s favourite comic-strip Gauls when ‘Asterix and Obelix: In Britain 3D’ tells a hilarious story of our indomitable heroes’ battle against the Roman occupation of Britain. Then, on Satuday, 24 November at 5:00 PM, also at the Opera House, catch ‘Rise of the Guardians 3D’, Peter Ramsey’s eagerly anticipated, animated extravaganza based on William Joyce’s immensely popular books about Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny and other beloved legends saving the world from the evil plotting of Pitch, the Nightmare King.