Dubai International Film Festival lights up silver screens across the city

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British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, above in suit, who played Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” franchise, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his almost-six-decade-long career. (Arab News)
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Bollywood actor Irfan Khan, who has also played roles in Hollywood films, is set to be honored for his significant contribution to the international film industry. (DIFF)
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Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett was in attendance at the opening gala night of the Dubai International Film Festival. (DIFF)
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Egyptian writer Wahid Hamed, right, will be given an honorary award for his four-decade career. (DIFF)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
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The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for the film industry’s glitterati. (Arab News)
Updated 08 December 2017
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Dubai International Film Festival lights up silver screens across the city

The 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival began with a bang on Wednesday evening, with a red carpet roll out to mark the beginning of a stellar line-up of film premieres and screenings across the city.

Taking place from Dec. 6 – 13, the festival will showcase more than 140 short and feature-length films in more than 38 languages from 51 countries in the Arab world and beyond. The movies are set to be screened across the city, including the main location at Souk Madinat Jumeirah as well as VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates and VOX Cinemas, Galleria Mall.

The Opening Night Gala on Wednesday presented award-winning director Scott Cooper’s “Hostiles,” starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.

This year, organizers have chosen three individuals to receive DIFF Honorary Awards in celebration of those who have contributed to the international film industry.

British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” franchise, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his almost-six-decade-long career, while Egyptian writer Wahid Hamed will also be given an honorary award for his four-decade career. Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who has also played roles in Hollywood films, is set to be honored for his significant contribution — including his more than 80 films — to the international film industry.

The film festival features a series of competition segments, including the highly contested Muhr Competition for feature fiction and non-fiction. Short films from the Arab world’s established and new talent will be screened as part of the competition and the winner will qualify for Oscar nominations.

Masoud Amralla Al-Ali, DIFF’s artistic director, said: “At its heart, DIFF was conceived to provide a platform for Arab talent, and every year we strive to showcase and support the best work coming out of the region. We are excited to welcome over 59 regional films to the Festival this year, each making sure that voices from this part of the world are heard.”

The festival is set to close with a highly anticipated screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on Dec. 13, the latest installment in the internationally loved series and the last time late actress Carrie Fisher appeared on screen.


Stars flaunt Arab looks at music’s biggest industry events

Updated 02 February 2026
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Stars flaunt Arab looks at music’s biggest industry events

DUBAI/ LOS ANGELES: The Grammys are a night of rule-breaking looks and memorable fashion statements where artists shed the traditional playbook of red carpet dressing and take style risks.

Some artists at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles looked to the past for inspiration, with British girl group Flo, a first-time nominee, paying homage to Destiny’s Child with their matching sets.

Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer each wore coordinated beaded black and royal blue ensembles. Destiny’s Child famously wore matching green lace cut-out looks at the 2001 Grammys where the group won two awards for “Say My Name.”

Former Destiny Child member Michelle Williams arrived on the carpet in a black sheer gown embellished with gold leaves and a black satin train from Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji.

Michelle Williams arrived on the carpet in a black sheer gown embellished with gold leaves and a black satin train from Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji.(Getty Images)

It was one of a few Arab looks on the Grammy Awards red carpet, with other stars opting for Middle Eastern designs at pre-Grammy events instead.

On Saturday night, Dove Cameron posed for portraits on the red carpet during the 68th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala in a pale blue Georges Hobeika gown from the Lebanese designer’s Spring/Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collection.

Dove Cameron posed for portraits on the red carpet during the 68th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala in a pale blue Georges Hobeika gown from the Lebanese designer’s Spring/Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collection. (Getty Images) 

On the Grammys red carpet, British rising stars Lola Young and PinkPantheress who are shaking up the music industry with their individual sounds both opted for vastly different Vivienne Westwood looks Sunday. Best new artist nominee Young, who is back after taking a brief hiatus last year, sported an army green sweatsuit printed with children’s toys on the carpet. PinkPantheress opted for a signature corseted off-the-shoulder gown draped with the Union Jack symbol.

Zara Larsson glowed on the carpet in her sunny yellow bra top and maxi skirt sequined set. The “Midnight Sun” singer made reference to the song with her radiating look. In keeping with her theme, the Swedish singer wore a circular ray around her skirt while performing at the Grammy’s Premiere Ceremony before removing the rays for her walk down the carpet.

Unlike the tuxedos at other award shows, male Grammy nominees often shake things up. Singer-songwriter Darren Criss was one of the first to arrive shortly after the carpet opened. Criss, who hosted the Grammys premiere ceremony, donned a shimmering lace suit from Tanner Fletcher with an off-white silk cravat shaped into a bow.