The Dubai International Film Festival will open this year with Tony Gilroy's Michael Clayton starring George Clooney.

Clooney will attend the gala opening, which marks the film's Middle East premiere.

'Mr. Clooney's return to the region means we have come full circle, from Dubai as a backdrop for the film 'Syriana' to DIFF as a platform to showcase his latest venture,' said DIFF chairman Adbulhamid Juma. 'We anticipate that future filmmakers who chose to work in this region will make the same return trip to the Emirates.'

The fourth DIFF runs Dec 9-16.

Topics