Director John Madden presents the International Premiere of ‘Miss Sloane’ and the Festival welcomes Samuel L. Jackson, Rekha, Gabriel Yared and many more for an unmissable Opening Night

Dubai, 08 December 2016:  The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) opened in spectacular fashion at the prestigious Madinat Jumeirah on December 7th with a Red Carpet Opening Gala for the international premiere of political thriller, ‘Miss Sloane’ from renowned British director John Madden who was there to present his film. The film was the first of more than 150 diverse titles from 55 countries to be showcased at this year’s Festival.  

Miss Sloane received its International Premiere in Dubai and takes on the controversial gun control debate as the fast-paced story follows a ruthless lobbyist, played by Jessica Chastain, who has made a name for herself thanks to a successful track record and fierce desire to win at all costs. 

The Festival was honoured by the presence of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Celebrations got into full swing with silver screen legends from near and far gracing the red carpet including Samuel L. Jackson, Gabriel Yared, Rekha, and Tuba Büyüstün, Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor, John Madden, Jake Lacy, Tyrese Gibson, Elham Chahine, Nelly Karim Bassem El Samra, Magdy Ahmed Ali, Fadi Abi Samra, Hend Sabri, Amjad Rasheed, Darin Sallam, Yousra, Yousry Nasrallah Ulrike Ottinger, Basil Khalil, Saleh Bakri, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ann Marie Fleming, Salem Ibrahimi, Adel Khouzam, and Marianna Khoury, before guests proceeded to the much anticipated screening of ‘Miss Sloane’. 

With an abundance of prominent cinematic stars including Bill Nighy, Andie MacDowell, Luke Hemsworth, Jeffrey Wright, Eva Longoria, Melanie Griffiths, Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor and Diman Zandi, Inas el Daghidi, Dorra, Reham Haggag, Ahmed Dawood and Amr Saad also descending on the Festival over the next week, DIFF took the Opening Ceremony to honour the iconic figures within the film industry with a Lifetime Achievement Award. French Lebanese composer Gabriel Yared, respected Indian actress Rekha, and American film icon Samuel L. Jackson received the prestigious accolade on the Opening Night in recognition of their influential works which have left a remarkable impression on the world of cinema.

The 13th edition of DIFF will see films screened over eight days at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena, Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates and THE BEACH – opposite JBR. Cinemagoers can buy tickets from the DIFF box office, which is now open www.dubaifilmfest.com and at the box office at VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates.  Tickets are also available from the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah and from the Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah.