Abu-Assad to head up Doha Tribeca jury

Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad has been appointed president of the jury for the second Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), which runs from 26-30 October.

He will preside over the festival’s first Arab Film Competition, which will award prizes for best Arab film and best Arab filmmaker. The two awards each carry a prize of $100,000.

Abu-Assad entered the world of cinema as a producer before directing his first film, The Fourteenth Chick in 1998. His 2006 film Paradise Now won the Golden Globe for best foreign film and was nominated for the foreign language Oscar.

DTFF executive director Amanda Palmer said of the appointment: “He epitomises the profound talent that exists in this region that our festival aims to not only promote on an international platform, but will inspire other Arab filmmakers to tell their stories.”

Abu-Assad added: “It’s a great honour to be asked to head up the jury for the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. It’s an exciting time for filmmakers in the Middle East and this festival provides a unique opportunity to meet and showcase their work.”