<p>Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2018 opened Wednesday night with the coming together of artists from around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>British actor Patrick Stewart, famous for&nbsp;his role as Professor X in &quot;X-Men&quot; was seen along with Indian films&#39;&nbsp;actor Irrfan Khan and renowned Egypt&#39;s director Wahid Hamed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 14th edition of the festival will be featuring 140 movies from 51 countries with a focus on regions like the Middle East and North Africa,&nbsp;from Iran to Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories.</p>

<p>On the opening night yesterday, two-time Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett walked in a bright coloured dress with Egyptian film and TV star Yusra. Blanchett received&nbsp;an honorary&nbsp;award for her widely acclaimed performances.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The stunning Cate Blanchett has arrived and will be awarded the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> Honorary Award tonight! <a href="https://t.co/2MKf6ljPjm">pic.twitter.com/2MKf6ljPjm</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938432508907212800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cate Blanchett receives her <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> honorary award. Delighted to have her with us this year. <a href="https://t.co/lP9xZyPvGM">pic.twitter.com/lP9xZyPvGM</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938456272852209671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian actor Irrfan Khan of the fame &quot;Life of Pi&quot; was also seen dressed for the occasion. He also received an honorary&nbsp;award for his contribution to the industry.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bollywood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bollywood</a> icon Irrfan Khan receiving his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> Honorary Award on his fascinating career. <a href="https://t.co/kHPXgvZXeZ">pic.twitter.com/kHPXgvZXeZ</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938456883106648064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hollywood actor Patrick Stewart also walked the red carpet and appreciated screenings of regional films. He said, &quot;I&#39;m not very familiar with Arabic film&quot; but &quot;After this week, I will certainly know very, very much more.&quot;</p>

<p>Stewart was given a Lifetime Achievement award.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a>! Get your tickets now at diff.ae and don&#39;t miss our exclusive In Conversation session on Dec 8, 3.30 PM! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filmwillfindyou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filmwillfindyou</a> <a href="https://t.co/akc9H46Qmi">pic.twitter.com/akc9H46Qmi</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938670142258581504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sir Patrick Stewart receives his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> Lifetime Achievement Award - such an incredible career that has inspired millions of film lovers. <a href="https://t.co/2lpVKSf827">pic.twitter.com/2lpVKSf827</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938455983461994496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian fashionista Sonam Kapoor also made her way to the festival as an ambassador to a premium watch brand. She chose a white ensemble as the ambassador.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I&rsquo;m so excited to be back in Dubai for the 14th International Film Festival with <a href="https://twitter.com/IWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IWC</a> Watches.<br />
In - <a href="https://twitter.com/ashistudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashistudio</a> Styled by <a href="https://twitter.com/RheaKapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RheaKapoor</a><br />
Styling Assistants: Chandini Whabi , Manisha Melwani &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/spacemuffin27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spacemuffin27</a> Hair &amp; MU: <a href="https://twitter.com/soninamrata?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@soninamrata</a> &amp; Deepti Aggarwal.<br />
??: The house of Pixels <a href="https://t.co/bxjWPpP0KF">pic.twitter.com/bxjWPpP0KF</a></p>
&mdash; Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonamakapoor/status/938684545108291585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Dubai International Film Festival opened with the premiere of Scott Cooper Western&#39;s &quot;Hostiles&quot; -- the story of a 19th-century soldier forced to escort a dying Cheyenne chief and his family home, starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cast of our Opening film HOSTILES is here in this very special night where we celebrate the power of cinema through this superb Scott Cooper-directed film. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> <a href="https://t.co/3dmGyBuOwU">pic.twitter.com/3dmGyBuOwU</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938427555845234688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The festival will also have&nbsp;Syria&#39;s &quot;Last Men in Aleppo&quot; -- a documentary on the daily lives of the White Helmets, the volunteer rescue workers who have refused to leave their homeland despite a devastating war. The film also received the Sundance Grand Jury Prize this year.</p>

<p>Last night, DIFF honoured&nbsp;Egypt&#39;s Wahid Hamed, the screenwriter behind the 2006 film adaptation of &quot;The Yaacoubian Building&quot;, with a lifetime achievement award, along with both Khan and Stewart.</p>

<p>Hamed, known as a pioneer of Arab cinema, has a long history of battling censorship. For over a decade, he fought for his political drama &quot;Al-Baree&quot; (The Innocent) to make it to the silver screen which was finally released in 1997.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DIFF17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DIFF17</a> Lifetime Achievement Award winner Wahid Hamed and his son, director Marwan Hamed have arrived! <a href="https://t.co/kmILudbOVq">pic.twitter.com/kmILudbOVq</a></p>
&mdash; Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/dubaifilm/status/938409466608922624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Indian fashionista Sonam Kapoor was also spotted on the red carpet

Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2018 opened Wednesday night with the coming together of artists from around the world. British actor Patrick Stewart, famous for his role as Professor X in "X-Men" was seen along with Indian films' actor Irrfan Khan and renowned Egypt's director Wahid Hamed. The 14th edition of the festival will be featuring 140 movies from 51 countries with a focus on regions like the Middle East and North Africa, from Iran to Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories. On the opening night yesterday, two-time Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett walked in a bright coloured dress with Egyptian film and TV star Yusra. Blanchett received an honorary award for her widely acclaimed performances. The stunning Cate Blanchett has arrived and will be awarded the #DIFF17 Honorary Award tonight! pic.twitter.com/2MKf6ljPjm — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 × Cate Blanchett receives her #DIFF17 honorary award. Delighted to have her with us this year. pic.twitter.com/lP9xZyPvGM — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 × Indian actor Irrfan Khan of the fame "Life of Pi" was also seen dressed for the occasion. He also received an honorary award for his contribution to the industry. #Bollywood icon Irrfan Khan receiving his #DIFF17 Honorary Award on his fascinating career. pic.twitter.com/kHPXgvZXeZ — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 × Hollywood actor Patrick Stewart also walked the red carpet and appreciated screenings of regional films. He said, "I'm not very familiar with Arabic film" but "After this week, I will certainly know very, very much more." Stewart was given a Lifetime Achievement award. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart at #DIFF17! Get your tickets now at diff.ae and don't miss our exclusive In Conversation session on Dec 8, 3.30 PM! #Filmwillfindyou pic.twitter.com/akc9H46Qmi — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 7, 2017 × Sir Patrick Stewart receives his #DIFF17 Lifetime Achievement Award - such an incredible career that has inspired millions of film lovers. pic.twitter.com/2lpVKSf827 — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 × Indian fashionista Sonam Kapoor also made her way to the festival as an ambassador to a premium watch brand. She chose a white ensemble as the ambassador. I’m so excited to be back in Dubai for the 14th International Film Festival with @IWC Watches. In - @ashistudio Styled by @RheaKapoor Styling Assistants: Chandini Whabi , Manisha Melwani & @spacemuffin27 Hair & MU: @soninamrata & Deepti Aggarwal. ??: The house of Pixels pic.twitter.com/bxjWPpP0KF — Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) December 7, 2017 × The Dubai International Film Festival opened with the premiere of Scott Cooper Western's "Hostiles" -- the story of a 19th-century soldier forced to escort a dying Cheyenne chief and his family home, starring Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike. Cast of our Opening film HOSTILES is here in this very special night where we celebrate the power of cinema through this superb Scott Cooper-directed film. #DIFF17 pic.twitter.com/3dmGyBuOwU — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 × The festival will also have Syria's "Last Men in Aleppo" -- a documentary on the daily lives of the White Helmets, the volunteer rescue workers who have refused to leave their homeland despite a devastating war. The film also received the Sundance Grand Jury Prize this year. Last night, DIFF honoured Egypt's Wahid Hamed, the screenwriter behind the 2006 film adaptation of "The Yaacoubian Building", with a lifetime achievement award, along with both Khan and Stewart. Hamed, known as a pioneer of Arab cinema, has a long history of battling censorship. For over a decade, he fought for his political drama "Al-Baree" (The Innocent) to make it to the silver screen which was finally released in 1997. #DIFF17 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Wahid Hamed and his son, director Marwan Hamed have arrived! pic.twitter.com/kmILudbOVq — Dubai International Film Festival (@dubaifilm) December 6, 2017 ×

Dubai International Film Festival: Cate Blanchett, Irrfan Khan, Patrick Stewart honoured

Celebrated Egyptian film director Mohamed Khan died in Cairo today aged 73 after a prolific career making socially engaged films.<br />
<br />
Khan has been one of Egypt&#39;s leading cinematic figures since the 1980s, making a string of movies tackling social issues that have often revolved around female central characters.<br />
<br />
Khan died in a Cairo hospital earlier today following &quot;health problems&quot;, state-owned al-Ahram newspaper said. His family was not immediately available for comment.<br />
<br />
A British national born to an Egyptian-Italian mother and a Pakistani father in Cairo in 1942, Khan studied in Britain and worked as an assistant director in Lebanon before returning to settle in Egypt.<br />
<br />
He directed 24 feature films starring the country&#39;s leading actors and actresses, denouncing the oppression of Egyptian women and fighting social ills in films that were acclaimed by critics and the public alike.<br />
<br />
In his 1987 film &quot;The Wife of an Important Man&quot;, Khan portrayed a police officer who is intoxicated by power and involved in the repression of opponents of the regime.<br />
<br />
The film in 2013 made it onto the Dubai International Film Festival&#39;s top 100 Arab films of all time.<br />
<br />
The same year, Khan&#39;s film &quot;Factory Girl&quot; won two prizes at the same festival, including a prestigious critics award.The film tells the story of Hiyam, a young factory worker living in a lower-middle-class neighbourhood of Cairo, who falls in love with her supervisor.<br />
<br />
Khan leaves behind his wife Wessam Souleiman, who wrote the screenplay for several of his films including &quot;Factory Girl&quot;.&nbsp;His daughter Nadine Khan is also a film director and her feature debut &quot;Chaos, Disorder&quot; won the Special Jury Prize at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2012.<br />
<br />
Despite being widely celebrated as a great figure in Egyptian and Arab cinema, Egypt only granted Khan nationality in 2014.&nbsp;Egyptian women married to foreigners were not allowed to pass on their citizenship to their children prior to a 2004 amendment to the nationality law.<br />
<br />
(AFP)

Khan directed 24 feature films starring leading actors and actresses, denouncing oppression of Egyptian women and fighting social ills

Celebrated Egyptian film director Mohamed Khan died in Cairo today aged 73 after a prolific career making socially engaged films. Khan has been one of Egypt's leading cinematic figures since the 1980s, making a string of movies tackling social issues that have often revolved around female central characters. Khan died in a Cairo hospital earlier today following "health problems", state-owned al-Ahram newspaper said. His family was not immediately available for comment. A British national born to an Egyptian-Italian mother and a Pakistani father in Cairo in 1942, Khan studied in Britain and worked as an assistant director in Lebanon before returning to settle in Egypt. He directed 24 feature films starring the country's leading actors and actresses, denouncing the oppression of Egyptian women and fighting social ills in films that were acclaimed by critics and the public alike. In his 1987 film "The Wife of an Important Man", Khan portrayed a police officer who is intoxicated by power and involved in the repression of opponents of the regime. The film in 2013 made it onto the Dubai International Film Festival's top 100 Arab films of all time. The same year, Khan's film "Factory Girl" won two prizes at the same festival, including a prestigious critics award.The film tells the story of Hiyam, a young factory worker living in a lower-middle-class neighbourhood of Cairo, who falls in love with her supervisor. Khan leaves behind his wife Wessam Souleiman, who wrote the screenplay for several of his films including "Factory Girl". His daughter Nadine Khan is also a film director and her feature debut "Chaos, Disorder" won the Special Jury Prize at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2012. Despite being widely celebrated as a great figure in Egyptian and Arab cinema, Egypt only granted Khan nationality in 2014. Egyptian women married to foreigners were not allowed to pass on their citizenship to their children prior to a 2004 amendment to the nationality law. (AFP)

Celebrated Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan dies at 73

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Dubai International Film Festival: Cate Blanchett, Irrfan Khan, Patrick Stewart honoured

Celebrated Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan dies at 73