Jithu: Doha Tribeca Film Festival 2011

Over the past decade, Qatar the oil and Gas Rich Stateacrossthe Arabian Gulf from Iran, has transformed itself into a hub for political discussion, International Sporting Action, Social Debate and Artistic Expression. Ruled by the Al-Thani family for over two centuries, the country has undergone a series of dramatic changes: from a modest pearling and trading center into an independent state seen as a model for urban planning and cultural development for the Middle East in the 21st century.

The Doha Tribeca Film Festival(DTFF) is the culmination of their year-round activities and a celebration of film, education and community. Starts of the Arab and Western World attend various events and premiers during the Film Festival.

City Centre, Doha

Katara Open Air Theatre

DTFF venue

Welcome Lunch

Actress Rubi attends the Lust (El Shooq) premiere during Day two of the 2011 Doha Tribeca Film Festival on October 26, 2011, at Katara Opera House 1 in Qatar. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Actress Doaa Teima Mohamad Ramadan. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Actor Abdullah Al Kaabi (L) and producer Jeff Zimbalist (R) pose for a portrait in the portrait studio at Katara Cultural Village. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

(L-R) Director Khaled El-Hagar, and actresses Marehan and Doaa Teima Mohamad Ramadan speak at the Arab Feature Filmmakers In Competition 2 at the DFI Press Centre. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

(L-R) Actress Yusra, executive director of the Doha Film Institute Amanda Palmer, Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra, Dorra Zarrouk and Dalia Al Bahairi. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Filmmaker Christopher Doyle speaks at Masterclass - Christopher Doyle. Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Lebanese actress and director Nadine Labaki and her husband, music composer Khaled Mouzannar. Photograph: KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images

Director Jeff Zimbalist attends Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told premiere. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Actress Mayssa Maghraby attends the Where Do We Go Now? premiere. Photograph: Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

Director of Education, Filmmaker Scandar Copti and actor Khaled Nabawy attend the opening of Harrer, Harrer Video Exhibition. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute

MTV host Nishan Derharoutyounian and actress Mayssa Maghraby arrive at the Black Gold world premiere on October 25 at the Katara Open Air Theatre. Photograph: Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute