English actor Colin Firth's latest film The King's Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, will open the seventh edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) on December 12, organisers have announced. Firth and co-stars Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Helena Bonham Carter and Michael Gambon are expected to make an appearance at the eight-day festival. Based on the true story of King George VI and his struggle to lead Britain in the run up to the Second World War, the film, which premiered in London last week, won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. "The world's leading studios and filmmakers are increasingly placing their trust in the professionalism, the business potential and the achievements of our Festival, and that is reflected in our ability to secure world-leading titles and talents early in the season," said Abdul Hamid Juma, the chairman of Diff. The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19.
