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Scandar Copti, Amanda Palmer and Robert De Niro on DTFF's wonderful Closing Night
 
At the Closing Ceremony of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival on November 1, DTFF Executive Director Amanda Palmer and Robert De Niro handed out two Audience Awards, worth $50,000 each, aimed at helping filmmakers and filmmaking in Qatar and the region. And the winners are...

Liz Mermin's documentary Team Qatar, following the creation of the country's first debate team, was awarded Best Festival Film.

Liz Mermin receives her $50,000 cheque at DTFF's Closing Ceremony

Palestinian Najwa Najjar's debut feature film Pomegranates and Myrrh, a love story set around the freedom of dance and the imprisonment of occupation was awarded Best Arab Film.

Najjar later said she was 'stunned' by the honor her film received

The 1 Min Films made in DTFF's Workshops with Community Outreach Programmer Scandar Copti were judged by Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, and new director Sophia Al Maria's The Racer won Best 1 Minute Film.

Sophia Al Maria addresses the audience and thanks DTFF and Robert De Niro

"There is a potential market for Arabic films and this award motivates filmmakers to make films in Arabic or with Arabic subject matter, with a universal  appeal," DTTF Community Outreach Programmer Scandar Copti said.

Working around the Festival's mission to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and provide a platform for the growth of the filmmaking industry in the Arab region, the awards provide an opportunity for aspiring and experienced filmmakers to pursue their dreams.