Dubai Film Fest 6 begins with 'Nine'

Rob Marshall's "Nine" premieres in the Middle East at the DIFF, officials said. The Festival closes Dec. 16 with the Middle East theater premiere of James Cameron's ("Titanic") "Avatar."

This year's DIFF will be the most ambitious ever, with 168 films from 55 countries being screened, officials said. The first DIFF in 2004 screened 76 films from 27 countries.

Gerald Butler headlines the celebrity list and is scheduled to receive the Variety International Star of the Year Award at the Festival. Matt Dillon, Christina Ricci and Mandy Moore will attend, officials said.

Making film debuts at the DIFF will be Pedro Almodovar, Annette Benning, Samuel Jackson, Geoffrey Rush, Drew Barrymore, comedian Chris Rock and rocker Jack White of the White Stripes.

Queen Noor of Jordan will deliver the keynote address at the Festival's Cultural Bridge Program. Omar Sharif, former recipient of the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award, will lead the celebrity contingent from the Arab world.

There is considerable buzz about A-Lister's who may attend, including Marshall, Cameron and stars of their films, among them Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Dame Judi Dench and screen icon Sophia Loren.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.