Commenting on the importance of Black Gold to Qatar’s expanding creative industries, DFI Festival Board Member H.E. Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousuf Al Thani, said: "Black Gold is an important step in strengthening foundations for a sustainable film industry here in Qatar.
"From a business development perspective, the project gave local industry sectors a valuable opportunity to learn about film production from the ground-level up.
"We hope the exposure of the film before global audiences and industry professionals will pave the way for future co-productions that showcase Arab talent and creativity in the right spirits, and send a message to the world that there is a viable Arab film market here in Qatar, and throughout the Middle East, with engaged and interested audiences."
The Tunisian-born Tarak Ben Ammar, who owns Quinta Communications, said: "This is a quintessential Arab tale, the kind of story that a lot of young people may have heard from older relatives, so part of the idea was to chart a slice of our history in a really modern, engaging way - through a major motion picture."
"It is a great triumph for the DFT and Quinta Communications and the decision to open the Doha Tribeca Film Festival with it is great news for everyone involved."
Black Gold’s director, Jean-Jacques Annaud, added: "Black Gold’s director, Jean-Jacques Annaud, added: "The Qataris, and particularly our friends at the Doha Film Institute, have been remarkable in their efforts in working with as partners on Black Gold.
"I love sharing knowledge and it's been a privilege for me as a director to shoot in a place where no cameras have ever been."
At DTFF 2011, Black Gold will be the first of more than 40 diverse films for festival-goers to enjoy. The Festival, run by the DFI, is likely to draw a record-breaking audience of more than 50,000 people and will also host community events, including the hugely popular family day, as well as panels, networking sessions and educational filmmaking programs.
This year, DFI also welcomes Ludmila Cvikova as the Festival’s new Head of International Programming. Cvikova joins the DTFF Programming team, following over a decade of programming for the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
In her long-running tenure as Programmer for IFFR Cvikova scouted talents and selected films from across the globe, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece and the Balkan region.
In addition to her rich experience as a jury member for various international film festivals, Cvikova has also organised and curated a dynamic range of cultural events, programmes and retrospectives within the Netherlands and internationally.