DTFF Jury Members have been selected to preside over the 2012 Arab Film Competition, which represents the only competition at any regional film festival dedicated to honouring Arab cinema. The members of the four juries, drawn from across the world, include internationally acclaimed film professionals, authors and cultural thought leaders. They will evaluate the Arab Film Competition’s three segments – Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary and Short Film – as well as the ‘Made in Qatar’ segment of the Festival, devoted to films made by Qatar-based talent.

The Feature Narrative jury will be headed by renowned Tunisian actress Hend Sabry (The Yacoubian Building, Whatever Lola Wants and Asmaa). The other jury members include: Indian director Ashutoush Gowarikar (Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar); Dr. Emad Amralla Sultan, Deputy General Manager of Cultural Affairs of Katara Cultural Village; renowned Turkish filmmaker Yeşim Ustaoğlu (The Trace, Journey to the Sun); and critically acclaimed Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul, who writes under the pen-name Yasmina Khadra (The Swallows of Kabul, The Attack).

Additionally, the jury for Documentary Narrative is comprised of Syrian documentary filmmaker, producer, and scriptwriter Hala Al Abdalla (I Am the One Who Takes Flowers to Her Grave), Qatari director Hafiz Ali Ali (The Oryx Return, Scents of Shadows, Cab Driver), and renowned Iranian artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat (Women Without Men). The short films at the competition will be evaluated by Joana Hadjithomas, Tahani Rached, and Nadir Mokneche.

Assessing the ‘Made in Qatar’ showcase, which features the largest line-up yet this year with 19 films including 15 World Premieres, is acclaimed Qatari author Waded Al Kuwairi; Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker, Haifaa Al Mansour (Women Without Shadows); and founder of the Qatar Fine Arts Society and renowned visual artist Faraj Daham. To discover more about the films in competition and jury who will select the winners, please read our complete press release.