Things couldn't have been busier. A-list actors and actresses made appearances at the third Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) as well as industry giants and heavyweights.
But it was Robert De Niro who once again stole the show despite arriving more than 40 minutes late for the closing night gala screening of Luc Besson's The Lady.
"Because I wasn't invited," was one response the Meet the Fockers actor gave to a journalist when asked why he had waited so long to come to the five-day festival.
DTFF is fast becoming a not-to-miss date on the calendar for film fans and industry buffs alike but De Niro made no point of being in a hurry, stopping to chat to select media at the festival he part-created due to his links with the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Red carpet action, world and regional premieres, extensive conversation, master classes and workshop programmes kept everyone busy over the dates.
This year star spotters caught a glimpse of Antonio Banderas, arriving to represent two films - Black Gold as well as his Shrek spin-off Cat in Boots — Michelle Yeoh, Lebanese actress-director Nadine Labaki, jury member Robin Wright and Leona Lewis who closed proceedings with a performance at Katara Open Air Theatre on Saturday.
Biggest names
There was no lack of talent as the festival has this year secured some of the biggest names from behind the scenes.
Legendary film composer James Horner, best known for scoring Titanic and Avatar, world-renowned director Luc Besson, cinematographer Christopher Doyle and award-winning British-Indian filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Senna) all made an appearance, giving master classes or conversations with local filmmakers.
The main focus at DTFF, aside from the film screenings, is to nurture talent using the education and expertise of the best in the business, in a bid to grow the local film industry.
