Egyptian actress Ragda (front) walks on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Cairo International Film Festival in Cairo, capital of Egypt, Nov. 18, 2008. The annual film festival opened on Tuesday with Spain as the guest of honor in this year's event. [Xinhua]

The 32nd Cairo International Film Festival opened on Tuesday with Spain being the Guest of Honor in this year's event.

At the opening ceremony held Tuesday afternoon at Cairo Opera House, a number of international and regional movie stars, including British actress Julia Ormond, attended the red carpet ceremony.

In a welcome message posted on the official website of the festival, Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni said "once again Cairo is ready to celebrate the fine art of cinema" during the film festival, the oldest one in the Middle East.

"We extend a hand of friendship and cooperation to them and to all festivals, hoping that the exchange of ideas and concepts will be beneficial to all," said Hosni.

Egyptian actress Mai Slim poses on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Cairo International Film Festival in Cairo, capital of Egypt, Nov. 18, 2008. [Xinhua]