ES GROUP ‘STAGES’ INAUGURAL DOHA TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

The opening night of the inaugural Doha Tribeca Film Festival took place in the picturesque grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art. ES Group built a 30m wide x 18m high x 32m deep stage housing a spectacular 24m wide screen on which a variety of films would be shown under the stars. More than 5,000 guests enjoyed a special screening under the stars of Hilary Swank’s new movie ‘Amelia’ and a spectacular performance from the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra who delighted the crowd with highlights from classic cinema scores.

In addition, ES Group also built special screens at two other unique locations. The beach at the Four Seasons Hotel was transformed into an outdoor cinema with a screen measuring 24m x 9.5m set up on the jetty that curved in front of the beach offering an uninterrupted view for the guests.

A screen measuring 16m x 12m at Souq Waqif provided a dramatic back drop for the Qatar premiere of The Mummy. This classic film was first made in 1969 and recently restored by Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation.

ES Group was delighted to be working with Scena Projects Ltd on this prestigious event. Both the festival and the partnership with Tribeca were devised by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a leader in Qatar’s cultural development.

The event, attended by more than 35,000 people including Robert De Niro, Sir Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson, was brought to a close on the Sunday night with a stunning firework display above the Corniche.

Following the event, Scena Events project director, Sarah Whitmarsh said, “Given the task of providing one of the largest outdoor film screens ever, the structure surrounding it had to be of world class stature and quality.  I was in no doubt and my first call was to Jeff Burke of ESS.  Having worked with ESS on many occasions, I knew that the provision of the structures, for our multi venue festival, had to go to the best company, able to complete the task know matter what delays or problems were thrown at them.   The completed structure of the main stage, in the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha created such impact, that at times it appeared to dwarf its host building.  On Souq Wakif too, the towering 19m screen structure filled the sky and created a stir, even before the event took place.  Professionalism and commitment – key words when working with ESS.”

Images Allan Navarro