Doha Tribeca Film Festival 2011: Over 50 Films from 35 Countries

Families, cinema enthusiasts, students and aspiring filmmakers can now enjoy their places at one of Qatar’s highlight cultural events, Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), that starts October 25, 2011 in its third edition.

The five-day celebration (October 25-29) will see more than 50 films from 35 countries screen before an expected audience intake of more than 50,000 people, showcasing a culturally diverse cross section of comedies, family-oriented films, epics, political biopics, thrillers and documentaries. With nine world premieres, four international premieres and 26 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) premieres, the Festivals’ dynamic film slate promises to provide something for all ages and viewing tastes.

The 2011 DTFF will open October 25 with the world premiere of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s star-studded Arabian film epic Black Gold, and will round out October 29 with Luc Besson’s The Lady, an epic biopic depicting the real life story of Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi. This year’s edition will also include an expanded Arab Film Competition, comprising 14 films, split between narratives and documentaries, an eclectic lineup of 16 Contemporary World Cinema titles; and a dynamic slate of 14 special screenings from across the world.

In addition to indoor and outdoor film screenings, DTFF will host a broad range of activities for Festival attendees, including: the Doha-Giffoni Experience for young aspirant film jurors; the publicly accessible, interactive ‘Doha Talks’ series; an evolved Brigitte Lacombe multimedia exhibit; the ‘Doha Projects’ mentoring program for DFI grantees; educational workshops, masterclasses and exhibits; and the Festival’s highlight Family Day program, which will provide a specially curated family-friendly film slate, as well as arts & crafts, performances workshops, games, stage performers and more.

This year, Festival screenings and events will be centralised in Katara Cultural Village, with the number of on-site screening venues having increased to nine, up from three last year, making it easier for Festival-goers to attend multiple screenings and events without having to commute to different parts of the city.

All films screened during the Festival will be subtitled in both Arabic and English, and events will be accompanied by on-ground translators, aiming to provide full Festival access for both Arabic and English speakers. Everyone is invited to Katara throughout the Festival to watch red carpet arrivals, to experience the Festival atmosphere and to view free public screenings at the spectacular Katara Open Air Theatre (KOAT).

All screenings and panel events will be open to public ticket-holders. Tickets for individual sessions are priced at 30 QR, and discounted to 20 QR for students. Individual tickets for premium screenings (red carpet galas) are priced at 50 QR, and discounted to 35 QR for students.

Limited special film passes have also been introduced this year to provide a more flexible and cost effective ticket package for those wishing to attend multiple screenings. Two levels of the DFI Club Card are available: the DFI Club Card, priced at 250 QR for regular buyers or 180 QR for students, which entitles a purchaser to 12 tickets to individual regular priced events; or the DFI Club Card Express, priced at 100 QR for regular buyers or 75 QR for students, which entitles the purchaser to five tickets to individual regular priced events.

In addition, a Pearl Pass can be purchased for 1,000 QR, which provides one ticket to the opening night World Premiere of Black Gold, one ticket to the closing night MENA premiere of The Lady, and three tickets per day to regular priced individual screenings or sessions. Pearl Pass holders will also get personalised Festival accreditation, entitling them access to the DFI Festival Lounge located next to KOAT.

Tickets will be purchasable 24 hours a day at www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival and public box offices located at: DFI Villagio Lounge; DFI City Center Lounge; and DFI Festival Office (Building 26) – Katara Cultural Village. Tickets will thereafter be available from DTFF’s Main Box Office at Katara Screening Hall (Building 12) from the evening of October 21st, and from all screening venues during the Festival. During the Festival, box offices will open approximately one hour prior to an event’s start time at all screening venues, excluding the aforementioned locations and KOAT, where box offices will open approximately two hours prior to an event’s start time. A physical ticket will be required to gain entry to all ticketed screenings and ‘Doha Talks’ events, including panels and masterclasses.

During the Festival limited parking will be available inside of Katara Cultural Village, operating under a Park & Ride system. A frequent shuttle service will also be provided, travelling from scheduled pick-up spots to each Festival location.

For more information relating to Festival box office venues, screening locations, transportation or ticket purchases please visit www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/info or email boxoffice@dohafilminstitute.com