De Niro takes Tribeca to Qatar

Qatar has teamed up with the Hollywood star Robert De Niro and other founders of New York City's Tribeca Film Festival to host a similar annual event starting next year in this small, oil-rich Gulf nation.

The announcement is part of a broader trend of rival, wealthy Gulf countries launching high-profile cultural and sporting events to attract international attention and outside investment.

"The Tribeca Film Festival Doha is destined to become a major annual event in world cinema," said Abdullah Al Najjar, the head of the Qatar Museums Authority, which is leading the effort from the Qatari side.

The organisers of the Doha festival, which will be held for the first time in November 2009, said they hope it will build up understanding between Arabs and the rest of the international community.

"We hope that film will not only be used as a form of entertainment at Tribeca Film Festival Doha but play a role in bridging cultures closer together," said De Niro.