The 2014 Dubai international film festival (DIFF) opened here Wednesday and a total of 118 movies from 48 countries will be presented.

Among these movies, 55 are world premieres. This year's fest will focus on the regional and Arab cinema.

In the limelight during the red carpet gala was British Hollywood actress and golden globe winner Emily Blunt ( "The Devil wears Prada"). Blunt is part of the jury of the filmmaker award this year.

The three shortlisted projects in line for the 100,000-U.S. dollar prize are Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry's "Going to Heaven," Ahd Kamel's "Sandfish" and Abdullah Boushahri's "The Water."

"The list of gala films is a cross-section of the international film industry in 2014," said Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF's artistic director.

American-British production "The Theory of Everything" which describes the early life of renowned English astrophysicist Stephen Hawking before he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease was shown in the opening night gala. Hawking is played by Eddie Redmayne.

Hawking is a popular scientist in the Arab world because he turned down an invitation to a science conference in Israel in spring 2013 in order to protest against Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians.

The second gala which will be shown on Thursday night is Dearest, the latest by Hong Kong directing sensation Peter Ho-Sun Chan(Chen Kexin). Based on a true story, the film topped the box office in mainland China with its touching and candid treatment of the very real problem of child abductions.

Egyptian film legend Nour Sherif received a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the Arab cinema.

Sherif, born in 1946, played during his 46-year long career in successful Arab productions such as Bus Driver and The Yacoubian Building.

"We are proud to be honoring Nour El-Sherif with this DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award, which is only bestowed upon the industry's greatest figures," said DIFF chairman Abdulhamid Juma.

A second lifetime achievement award was presented to Indian actress and singer Asha Bhosle who sung over 12,000 songs over her 70-year long career.

The 11th DIFF will until December 17 in the popular holiday resort Madinat Jumeirah.

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