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A total of 134 features films, including at least one tipped to be nominated for an Oscar next year, will be screened during the 12th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on 9-16 December, it was announced today.
The opening night film Room is based on Emma Donoghue’s best-selling novel of the same name. The festival will close with the first international screening of The Big Short starring Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carrell.
International stars expected to attend the festival include Jake Gyllenhaal, Eva Longoria, Melanie Griffith and Richard Dreyfuss, who will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the blockbuster Jaws.
The DIFF encompasses:
- Film screenings
- DIFF lifetime achievement awards
- The Muhr Feature competition
- The Gulf short film competition
- The IWC Filmmaker award
- The Dubai Film Market
- Panel discussions
- The Dubai Cares Global Gift Gala which is being supported by the DIFF
DIFF’s In Conversation event on 16 December will be with Jake Gyllenhaal who will be presented with Variety’s International Star of the Year Award for his contribution to the film industry.
“I expect a great experience for everyone,” said DIFF chairman Abdul Hamid Juma.
The DIFF’s box office opens online on 27 November.