The sixth Abu Dhabi film festival is taking place in the UAE until October the 19th. The festival opening attracted a host of international stars and UAE royalty. Held over 10 days, the festival will showcase international movies alongside a host of Arab cinema.

Chinese film director Lu Chuan and actress Qin Lan also walked the opening night's red carpet.[Xinhua]

Stars representing Hollywood, Bollywood, China and the arab world walked the red carpet on Abu Dhabi's opening night. And UAE royalty also made an appearance.

In total the festival will show 165 films representing 48 countries. Bollywood legend Mammootty attended the opening night as a special guest.

Mammootty said, "Arab film industry is developing. Of course they have many things to say. Mainly the arabic speaking films are coming from Syria, Tunisia and Egypt. These parts of the world they have started already making films."

This year there is a special focus on Algerian movies - to celebrate the countries 50th anniversary of independence. Including two world premiers.

Harraga blues is one of them vying for the festival's narrative competition. The movie tackles the issue of illegal immigration.

Emirati film making also takes centre stage - with an Emirates film competition a big part of the festival.

Dawood Hussein, a Kuwaiti actor, said, "When these festivals started there was not many films from the gulf areas. Now we can see on the schedule so many movies so we are in a positive position."

Chinese film director Lu Chuan and actress Qin Lan also walked the opening night's red carpet. In town to show their historical film, the Last Supper.

Lu Chuan, Chinese film director, said, "First I should say I am very excited as it's our first time to show our movie to an arabic audience. I am curious about their feedback about our movies because I think they are not familiar with the Chinese history."

Arab stars were in demand at the opening with big cheers for stars from across the arab world.

While the festival is still relatively young, they have attracted a range of international stars here to the opening, but the focus is very much on promoting and nurturing local and emirati talent.

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