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World-Renowned Talents Including Superstar Leona Lewis to Perform for Festival Goers in Doha

Doha, October 25, 2011 –Musical stars will take centre stage each evening at thethird annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) (October 25-29) with a series of live performances at the city’s spectacular Katara Open Air Theatre (KOAT).

On October 27, internationally renowned African recording artist Angelique Kidjo will bring her Grammy-winning distinctive sound to the nation’s capital following a screening of Mama Africa, aninspiring tribute to iconic South African singer Miriam Makeba. The show will open with up-and-coming East African divaSomi, whose sound has been described by some as ‘holistic New African jazz.’

Also on October 27, Bollywood will come alive before Festival audiences in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Jeff Zimbalist’s spectacular music and dance-filled documentary Bollywood – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, which features archival clips and interviews with many of Bollywood’s most prolific movie stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, and the late Shammi Kapoor.

‘India’s Got Talent’ winners Suresh and Vernon Group will give a breathtaking performance of their awe inspiring stunts and electrifying dance moves for audiences at the red carpet premiere of the film at DTFF on Wednesday night, adding additional Bollywood glitz and glamour to an evening of culture and entertainment. A special performance is also scheduled on Thursday, October 27as part of the Festival’s extended program of family events.
On Family Day itself (October 28) Angélique Kidjo will once again appear, performing a free concert for Festival goers, as well as eclectic feminine vocalist Oum, who will grace the Festival stage, bringing her Moroccan style and soul-filled sounds that audiences are sure to enjoy.

The third edition of DTFF will close on October 29 with a concert by multi-platinum selling artist Leona Lewis following the screening of The Lady, an epic biopic of Burmese opposition leader Aung San SuuKyi. Lewis is set to release her third album, ‘Glassheart’, in early 2012, but the first single from the album, ‘Collide,’has already topped the charts in the UK and United States. Lewis skyrocketed to international success after winning the series ‘X-Factor’ in 2006 and thereafter received widespread acclaim for her global hit ‘Bleeding Love’.

A ticket to each select film will automatically entitle festivalgoers to attend eachattachedconcert, however there are a number of tickets for each performance that will be made available to standby guests.

For more information relating to Festival box office venues, screening locations, transportation or ticket purchases please visit www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/info or email boxoffice@dohafilminstitute.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.