MUMBAI: The sixth edition of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) that concluded recently recorded 50,113 admissions for the 168 films screened.

The significant trend of DIFF 2009 was the great interest by film lovers on the wide cross-section of movies than just the mainstream selection. From Avatar to Zindeeq, the Muhr Arab award winning feature, DIFF 2009 showcased most movies released this year.

The power of DIFF‘s programming has been reflected in the Golden Globe nominations in which several films screened in Dubai made it to the short-list. 

In all, DIFF films clinched 15 nominations at the prestigious awards. Both the opening and closing galas of the festival - Nine and Avatar - have won nominations as well as Fantastic Mr Fox, The Princess and the Frog and A Prophet along with The Hurt Locker.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma claimed that the sixth edition of DIFF defined the festival as one that put a large spectrum of Arab talent in the global spotlight including the world premiere of a full-fledged UAE production, City of Life.

DIFF also welcomed celebrities including Omar Sharif, Amitabh Bachchan, Gerard Butler, Matt Dillon, Christopher Lambert, Mandy Moore, Lluis Homar, Natalie Dormer, Ranbir Kapoor, Mamooty, Hala Sarhan, Somayya Al Kashab, Mostafa Fahmy, Habib Gholoom, Samir Ghanim and Donia Ghanim, Hiam Abbas, Nelly Kareem, Elham Shaheen, Ragha Al Guedawi, Amr Waked, Rania Shawky, Sherine Adel, Khalid Al Sawi and Khalid Taja, among others, providing the glitz and glamour to the festival.