The Dubai International Film Festival is back - and it's bigger and better than ever before. Now in its third year, the organisers of DIFF have pulled out all the stops to bring the best of world cinema directly to our door.

With 115 films from 47 countries being screened during the next seven days, there is no better time to catch up on the movies making waves across the globe.

Launching the jam-packed line-up tonight is the gala screening of Emilio Estevez's Bobby featuring a star-studded cast, including Laurence Fishburne, who is here especially for the occasion.

Equally anticipated is this year's Palme d'Or winner at Cannes, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, while younger viewers are in for a treat with the Middle East premiere of Charlotte's Web.

Yes, there'll be the big ones — Babel starring Brad Pitt and the eagerly awaited Kabul Express by Kabir Khan — but don't miss out on the wealth of talent away from the mainstream.

Must see

Death of a President is a must-see in the Café Europe section while Ahlaam (Dreams), set in Baghdad, is gathering worthy acclaim for its gritty insight into the broken lives of three war-hit Iraqis in 2003.

Celebrating the emerging talent of filmmakers in the region, the inaugural Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema at this year's DIFF have attracted 30 movies competing for Dh1.2 million in prize money.

Among them is the French/Moroccan entry Indigenes (Days of Glory) which saw its five leading cast members sharing the Best Actor award at Cannes in May.

In addition to the plethora of quality screenings, the Festival will for the first time pay tribute to three great lights in the world of cinema.

3 Salutes

I-Cheng Chan, Staff report

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