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25 October 2010 (Doha, Qatar) – The second Doha Tribeca Film Festival began on 25th October, offering the community a wealth of free events, including outdoor screenings, concerts, and intimate conversations with leading voices from the Arab film world.

The Festival’s Opening Night film, Rachid Bouchareb’s Outside the Law, had its screening at the newly completed Katara Open Air Theater by the beach. The theater, which was one of the largest temporary amphitheatres ever constructed in the region, also hosted screenings of Secretariat and Boy on Friday, Oct. 29 (Family Day), and the Closing Night film, The First Grader on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Another highlight was the screening of a specially restored print of 1929 Indian silent film A Throw of Dice. The film was be accompanied by a live performance of the soundtrack composed by acclaimed music producer/composer Nitin Sawhney, who conducted the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. The film tells the story of a craps game between two Indian kings for the hand of a poor beauty, combining the spectacle of a Cecil B. DeMille biblical epic with a proto-Bollywood sensibility.

All films were subtitled in English or Arabic, and all Doha Talks will also had live translation.

Elsewhere at the Katara cultural village, another series of free events for the public was the Karak Chats. More than 30 separate sessions over three days were anchored to the cinematic “I Am Film: Work in Progress” exhibition in Doha. The exhibition featured more than 100 emerging and iconic cinematic figures telling their stories through the lenses of world-renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe and her sister, filmmaker Marian Lacombe.

The talents featured in the “I Am Film: Work in Progress” exhibit have been highly visible in Doha in recent weeks, from billboards, banners and advertisements which depict the exhibit’s arrestingly photographed subjects. The Chats were held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30, and featured more than two dozen luminaries from Arab and international cinema, among them were Najwa Najjar, Yousry Nasrallah, Alexander Siddig, and Burhan Qurbani. The speakers were also seen in the gallery alongside their Lacombe portraits, sharing stories sure to inspire and spark curiosity about their compelling journeys.

The free screenings at the Katara Open Air Theatre required a ticket which could be picked up at the box office at no cost. The box office opened approximately two hours before event start time.

PARKING

Venue Information:
Katara
Free public parking were NOT be available inside Katara during the festival. Katara operated under a Park & Ride system from two different locations in close proximity to Katara: Parking was available in either the backside of the Doha Exhibition Center or the Katara Public Parking (for access to both follow DTFF signs via route to the Intercontinental Hotel). Frequent shuttle services were provided from both locations to Katara Centre.

Limited paid public parking spaces were available at the Katara Underground Garage. You could purchase a Vehicle Permit for 50 QR to park in the Katara Underground Garage during all festival dates (Oct 26th- Oct 30th).

City Center and Villaggio
Parking was limited and not guaranteed at these locations especially during peak hours.

About Doha Tribeca Film Festival
As the Doha Film Institute’s annual celebration of all things film, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) is a community minded five day event that showcases the best of Arab and international films. The Festival also reflects DFI´s film financing and year-round educational arms with industry programs and filmmaker events designed to fulfill DFI´s mission of empowering storytellers and building a long term film industry in Qatar. Launched in 2009, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival reflects a successful cultural partnership between DFI and Tribeca Enterprises. Based on a mutual mission to promote the influence of cinema, the importance of community culture and the need for arts education, the Festival provides an annual platform that celebrates the wonders of film appreciation and entertainment from every corner of the globe.

DTFF 2010 is proud to be supported by: official airline partner Qatar Airways, official telecom service provider Qtel, official sponsor Volunteer Programme Virgin Mobile Qatar, official sponsor Opening Night Screening Gala Al Fardan, and hospitality partners Four Seasons Hotel, W Hotel, and Grand Hyatt.

For further information, images and interview requests:
General Enquiries
Majid Wasi, DFI, mwasi@dohafilminstitute.com
MENA Press
Yosra Koura Yosra.koura@hillandknowlton.com