The opening ceremony of the first Dubai International Film Festival here was a glittering event, graced by international celebrities and a strong Indian contingent.

Noted Indian director Subhash Ghai and cinema idol Amitabh Bachchan are expected to attend the Dec 6-11 festival that has taken in two years of exhaustive preparations.

At Monday's inaugural, 800 VIP guests including international film stars Orlando Bloom and his co-stars from "Lord of the Rings", Nicolas Cazale and a constellation of Arab stars were welcomed to the festival headquarters.

Festival Director and CEO Neil Stephenson told the assembled guests that the festival is just one part of Dubai's plans to build a new cultural infrastructure.

"We aim to build a vibrant entertainment industry in Dubai and the UAE to complement Dubai's position as a media hub and to contribute to a dynamic knowledge-based economy in the UAE for the long term," he said.

"We have not tried to follow or imitate any other festival. What we have done is simply try to ensure that the festival and its programming serves and reflects the Dubai community."

Fans of international cinema are in for a treat Tuesday, the second day of the inaugural Dubai International Film Festival, as more than 10 films from the subcontinent, Eastern Europe, the Philippines and the Middle East will make their debut at festival venues around the city.

The highlights of the festival's second day include the gala red-carpet screening of "Bollywood/Hollywood", the new romantic drama from Indo-Canadian director Deepa Mehta.

The film, set in Toronto, focuses on a young man trying to balance his North American and Indian ties in his search for a life partner. Mehta, whose film "Fire" created a stir in India, will be present at the 8 p.m. gala along with Rahul Khanna, the male lead in the film.

The Bangladeshi film "Lalsalu" (A Tree Without Roots - based on a well known novel) will also be screened Tuesday. Set in the 1940s, the film is an exceptional portrait of rural Muslim life. Director-scriptwriter Tanvir Mokammel will be at the screening for a pre- and post-show introduction and discussion.

Award-winning Pakistani film "Khamosh Pani" (Silent Waters) will be screened. The film charts the life of a widow living in Pakistani Punjab who finds her family swept up in the aftermath of political events beyond her control. Both director Sabiha Sumar and star Kirron Kher will be at the screening.

Also to be screened is Indian comedy "Raghu Romeo", with a special appearance by lead actor Vijay Raaz. This simple but affectionate tale of a naive and bumbling waiter in love with a television character and the efforts he makes to rescue her is sure to be a favourite with the Indian community.

The Dubai International Film Festival will feature approximately 75 films including features, retrospectives and short films. The festival is divided into 10 distinct programmes, each focusing on a particular theme.

Among the celebrities slated to attend the festival include Prince Albert of Monaco, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actors Morgan Freeman, Orlando Bloom and Sarah Michelle Gellar as well as distinguished directors Subhash Ghai and Daoud Abdul Sayed.

Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan and top Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein are also expected to make an appearance at the event. More than 70 renowned Arab actors, producers and directors have also arrived for the inaugural, their presence a clear expression of Pan-Arab support for the event.

Omar Sharif will be honoured with a special retrospective, highlighting his importance as an Arab icon. The retrospective will include such classics as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago", "Funny Girl", and "Monsieur Ibrahim".