Luxury Arabian resort of Dubai draws the curtain on 2013 Dubai International Film Festival
Dubai, 18 December:
Madinat Jumeirah welcomed a host of top international acting talent for
the 10th edition of DIFF, which saw 174 films from 57 nations screened
from 6 – 14 December, 2013.
Each
year Madinat Jumeirah welcomes a galaxy of stars and VIP guests to the
beautiful property and has been the official home of this influential
film platform since its inception in 2004.
This
year Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett returned to Madinat Jumeirah
for the second time in 12 months when she lit up the red carpet on the
opening night for Arabic movie Omar.
British actress Naomie Harris, who attended a gala screening of Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom
in Madinat Arena, enjoyed staying in one of Madinat Jumeirah’s
exclusive Malakiya Villas. She said: “It’s beautiful; I’m having the
most amazing time.”
Veteran
actor Martin Sheen, who received this year’s Lifetime Achievement
Award, shared insights into his career, life and fame during an intimate
Q&A session in Madinat Theatre.
While
he remained busy due to DIFF commitments, he expressed interest in
exploring more of Madinat Jumeirah on his next visit. He said: “I’ve
been on a tight schedule since I got here so I really need to come back
to get the true experience because there is so much to do and see.”
In
between interviews and screenings, American actor Michael B Jordan, the
star of Fruitvale Station, spent time relaxing on the terrace of Koubba
Bar in Al Qasr Hotel. The sweeping views of the resort from Koubba Bar
also impressed Bollywood leading lady Priyanka Chopra, who was at
Madinat Jumeirah for DIFF with her Gunday co-stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and director AlAbbas Zafar.
Over
the past decade, Madinat Jumeirah has extended warm Arabian hospitality
to Hollywood stars including Colin Firth, Tom Cruise, Diane Kruger,
Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck, Colin Farrell, Owen Wilson,
Colin Firth, and Gerard Butler.
