Doha Tribeca Film Festival announce Arab Film Competition jury and lineup

Over 87 films from 34 countries will screen at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), which runs Nov 17-24, with numerous nations making their debut at the festival through the Arab Film Competition.

This year’s Arab Film Competition will screen seven documentaries, seven narrative features and 13 short films representing 10 Arab countries, including world premieres of the likes of Asham: A Man Called Hope [pictured], Playground Chronicles, Die Welt, Goodbye Morocco and the documentary O My Body!

Tunisian actress Hend Sabry will head the feature narrative jury and will be joined on the jury by Indian director Ashutoush Gowarikar, Dr. Emad Amralla Sultan, deputy general manager of cultural affairs of Katara Cultural Village, Turkish filmmaker Yeşim Ustaoğlu and critically acclaimed Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul.

The feature narrative jury is one of four at this year’s festival with the documentary narrative jury consisting of Syrian documentary filmmaker, producer, and scriptwriter Hala Al Abdalla, Qatari director Hafiz Ali Ali and Iranian artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat.

Joana Hadjithomas, Tahani Rached and Nadir Mokneche will judge the Competition’s short films, while the ‘Made in Qatar’ showcase will be appraised by Qatari author Waded Al Kuwairi, Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour and founder of the Qatar Fine Arts Society Faraj Daham.

Over $440,000 of prize money is available, with best feature narrative and documentary each receiving an award of $100,000.

His Excellency Mr. Issa Bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, DTFF vice chair commented: “The most fascinating aspect of this year’s Arab Film Competition selection is their thematic brilliance and attention to cinematic detailing. Bringing together works by renowned auteurs as well as high-calibre debutants, the selection is a clear statement on how Arab cinema has evolved, particularly after the events of the Arab Spring.”

This year’s festival will also host a special showcase of Algerian cinema entitled Tribute to Algerian Cinema: Caught Between Past and Present.

Tariq Teguia’s Rome Rather Than You (Roma Wa La N’touma), Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina’s Winds of the Aures (Le Vent des Aurès), Merzak Allouache’s Omar Gatlato and Assia Djeber’s Nouba of the Women of Mont Chenoua (La Nouba des Femmes du Mont-Chenoua) will screen as part of the tribute, with Gillo Pontecorvo’s classic The Battle of Algiers also screening as part of the complimentary community screenings at the Sony Open Air Cinema.

The showcase will culminate with a live performance by Algerian jazz musician Safy Boutella at the official awards ceremony on Nov 22.

For further information, visit DTFF’s website.