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Black Gold producer Tarak Ben Ammar dedicates film to people of Tunisia and their newfound democracy

Doha [25 October 2011] – An excited crowd of thousands gathered Tuesdaynight at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF)for the world premiere of Arabian epic Black Gold, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaudand starring Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Tahar Rahim, Riz Ahmed, Mark Strong, Jan Uddin, Akin Gazi.

More than 2,000 members of the Qatari community were in attendance to enjoy DTFF’s Opening Night Gala at Katara’s spectacular Open Air Theatre (KOAT), kicking off the five-day community oriented festival.

Tunisian producer Tarak Ben Ammar dedicated the film’s opening to the people of Tunisia and their newfound democracy as voted in the past two days.The sold out crowd at KOAT erupted into applause at Ben Ammar’s remarks as he talked about the cast and crew’s experiences shooting Black Gold in Tunisia during the Arab Spring.

Ben Ammar’sQuinta Communications co-produced the international production Black Gold with the Doha Film Institute (DFI). The film is DFI’s first major international co-production and one of biggest and most ambitious projects ever to shoot in the Arab region.

Against the stunning backdrop of a specially constructed four-storey open air theatre, stars dazzled on the red carpet as they mingled with local fans and VIP industry guests from around the world.

DFI attendees included: DFI Founder, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Vice-Chair of DFI Board and Chair of Festival Board, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahed Al-Thani; DFI Executive Director, Amanda Palmer, Chief Arab Programmer Hania Mroue, Head of International Programming, Ludmila Cvikova, resident filmmaker and programmer Chadi Zeneddine; and Head of DFI Education, Scandar Copti.

Black Gold cast and guests in attendance Tuesday night wereFreida Pinto, Dev Patel,
Tarak Ben Ammar, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong, James Horner, Jan Uddin and Akin Gazi.

International celebrities and industry VIPS included Rob Lowe, James Cromwell, Omar Sharif, Christopher Doyle, Asif Kapadia, Robin Wright, Nadine Labaki, Daniel Nettheim, Somi,JasminaZbanic, Manish Malhotra, Tribeca Enterprises Geoff Gilmore and Craig Hatkoff, and Mumbai and Dubai festival directors.

Stars from the Arab world included:Khaled Mouzannar, Sawsan Badr, Merihan, Carmen Lebbos, Yosra, Mahmoud Abdelaziz, Jamal Soliman and KhaledYousef.GCC talent included Demet Gul, Aylin Tezel, Mohammad Malas, ,Fahad Al Kubaisi, Saood Al Kaabi, Habib Ghuloom Al Attar,Abdulla Alkaabi.

DTFF also provided live coverage from the red carpet for the open air audience, which captured the evening’s highlights, including celebrity interviews and arrivals.

For additional information relating to Festival screenings, tickets, venues or transportation please visit: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival.

For photographs from the Opening Night Gala and the first day of DTFF, please visit:
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr158558869.

For General Views of DTFF, please visit: http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr158537926.

Portraits
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr158538349

The official website for Black Gold is: http://blackgold-themovie.com

About Doha Film Institute (DFI):

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner.

Located at Qatar’s new cultural hub, Katara, DFI’s many initiatives include film and television funding for MENA and international films, year-round education programs, film screenings, and the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).

In addition, DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Katara Cultural Village Foundation, Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Labs and Giffoni Film Festival.

DFI was founded by H.E Sheikha Al MayassabintHamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Along with Her Excellency, DFI leadership comprises DFI Board Vice-Chair and Festival Board Chair, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahad Al-Thani; DFI Board Member and Festival Board Vice-Chair, H.E. Dr. Hassan Al-Nimah; DFI Board Member, Mr. Mansoor Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud; Festival Board Member, H.E. Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousuf Al Thani; and DFI Executive Director, Amanda Palmer.