LONDON — Doha Film Institute’s exec director Amanda Palmer has stepped down to launch a talent agency and production shingle for Arab talent.
Palmer delivered the first three editions of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and launched various educational and cultural initiatives, including year-round learning and training programs, film financing for Middle Eastern and international projects, and the first ever TEDx Summit in Qatar.
In 2009, she launched the first edition of DTFF before taking over as exec director of the fest’s umbrella organization DFI in 2010.
During her tenure, she led DFI to back a raft of international productions, including Mira Niar’s upcoming Kate Hudson starrer “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Arabian epic “Black Gold,” co-produced by Tarak Ben Ammar’s Quinta Communications, and Kanye West’s short pic “Cruel Summer,” which was launched in Cannes in May.
DFI executive board member Mansour Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud is serving as acting CEO until the org finds a replacement for Palmer.
“Amanda played an instrumental role in growing DTFF and positioning DFI as a recognized film entity over the past three years,” said DFI chair Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani. “Under her leadership, DFI has established many successful relationships with key industry professionals and other international organizations, which we will continue to build on.”
The fourth edition of DTFF is skedded to run Nov. 17-24, about a month later than in previous years. A new exec director is expected to be hired by then.
