Another busy day at DTFF yesterday!

Festival guests were treated to two diverse and important discussions. The first, ‘Khaleeji Films: Overcoming Stereotypes,’ featured four film experts from the Gulf region discussing contemporary Khaleeji storytelling and the international influences on it, with DTFF juror Haifaa Al Mansour providing insight and commentary. The panel dug deep into the elements of regional filmmaking and the messages reaching audiences throughout the Gulf and further afield. Homegrown cinema was also part of the discussion, exploring how local filmmakers can become engaged in changing Arab representations in the filmic landscape.

(L-R) Filmmakers Mohammed Hassan, Haifaa Al Mansour, Bassam Al Thawadi, Marzook Bin Marzook speak at 'Khaleeji Films: Overcoming Stereotypes' Doha Talks panel during DTFF 2012. (Getty)

The second panel, ‘Going Global: Can Bollywood Films Really Cross Over?’ traced the journey of commercial Hindi films into the global arena. Topics such as why Bollywood is unable to appeal to a wider global audience unlike smaller independent Indian films were discussed with actor Anupam Kher, Arab Film Competition juror Ashutosh Gowariker and Yash Raj Films Vice President Avtar Panesar.

(L-R) Avtar Panesar, Anupam Kher, Ashutosh Gowariker and Rajeev Masand at 'Going Global' Panel (Getty)

DTFF’s Arab Film Competition for short films had its press discussion yesterday, with keen interest from the media, putting these hopefuls in the limelight. The filmmakers from the three programmes Hope Springs, Awakenings and Intimate Journeys touched upon their inspirations, ambitions and desires to take storytelling to the next level.

Zombies attend 'Made in Qatar Programme 4 Thriller Night'

Packed with interesting panels and screenings, yesterday certainly wasn’t dead, however some of the people walking the red carpet were. Zombies engulfed the gala for DTFF’s Made in Qatar Programme 4: Thriller Night, which showcased Qatar’s first zombie film, ‘Lockdown: Red Moon Escape’. Also included in the screenings at the Al Rayyan Theatre were ‘Crazy Calm’ and ‘I’, adding to an evening filled with horror and riveting tales pulled from the psyche of local filmmakers. Although the evening was filled with the undead, it was brought to life by numerous fans and directors who walked the red carpet in support of local filmmaking.