Press Centre

Back to listing

DTFF 2012 Unveils Extensive Roster of Fun Activities for DFI Family Days Taking Place in Katara

Nov 12, 2012

Doha, Qatar; November 12, 2012: Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), the annual cultural celebration of Doha Film Institute (DFI), has unveiled an extensive line-up of family and youth-centered activities for its fourth edition of Family Days, to be held from November 21 to 24, 2012.

Featuring Family Day Screenings, Kid’s Red Carpet experiences, DFI Kids Access Programme, stage performances, roaming entertainment and performers, arts and crafts workshops, sports, storytelling, puppetry, games, film-making activities and performances from local schools and community groups among others.

DFI Family Days will showcase films for youth including ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and ‘Cinema Paradiso’ at the DFI Sony Open-Air Cinema ; while Kids’ Red Carpets and Festival Films include ‘Asterix & Obelix: In Britain 3D’ and ‘Rise of the Guardians 3D’ at Katara Cultural Village. Other family-friendly films in the Festival’s slate include ‘Storm Surfers 3D’, ‘Children of Heaven’, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, and ‘No Entry for Men’.

Bringing a true celebration of community involvement in Qatar’s cinematic landscape, DFI Kids Access Programme, supported by production assistants from Qatar University, Northwestern University in Qatar and DFI Productions, , will feature a group of enthusiastic children who will cover every aspect of the age-appropriate events during the Festival. , The young reporters will be documenting everything from red carpet premiers and panel discussions to creating their own original content.

Additional activities will include a Sony/51 East Game Lab with Sony Playstation and Playstation Move, Gran Turismo 5 Gaming Pod, and a Hollywood ‘Hot Set’ photo opportunity. Select audience members will also be welcomed on set to become a news anchor, a camera operator, or a weather reporter with Northwestern University in Qatar’s “Daily Q Live” newsroom on location.

Other participating organizations include the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mathaf, and MADA .Over 20 student hosts from numerous local schools including Al Wakra Secondary School and Qatar International School will facilitate the events during Family Day. The hosts will be recruited in collaboration with Qatar Foundation International.

Katara will also come to life with a host of musicians and performers including the Mighty Jokerz breakdance group, Capoeira Martial Arts Demonstrations, Team Spirit Drum Circles, The Marasi Ensemble from the Qatar Music Academy, and Doha Jazz, among others, in addition to fire dancers, acrobats, and percussionists, all celebrating the collaboration of film, music, and the arts.

DFI will also host a DTFF Family Panel, “Express Yourself!” inviting young enthusiasts and families to explore how artists express themselves cinematically, through discussion, demonstrations and hands-on participation. The panel will place emphasis on the use of animation, dance, and music to encourage audiences to discover their creative potential. Moderated by Mohammed Saeed Harib, the creator of Freej, the panel will also include hip-hop artists Arabian Knightz, Malikah, and Omar Hakim of the breakdance group the Mighty Jokerz.

The events and programmes at DTFF 2012 underscore Doha Film Institute’s mandate to provide audiences with opportunities for education and entertainment in important community spaces.