Omar Sharif's final film to premiere at Dubai Film Festival

Ahmed Salim's short 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytha' joins the Muhr Gulf Shorts Competition.

SADLY PASSING AWAY in July of this year, the legacy of renowned Egyptian actor Omar Sharif will be celebrated at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) this December through the world premiere screening of his last film, 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham. It forms the final part of the 15-strong line-up of films in the Muhr Gulf Shorts category at the Festival.
The UK and UAE co-produced film focuses on the scientific journey of 11th Century Arab polymath and philosopher Ibn Al-Haytham. It follows his journey to discover the nature of light and vision, which helped set the foundation for modern science and named him the father of experimental physics, modern optics and scientific methodology, as well as a grandfather of the camera obscura - the device that forms the basis of photography and cinematography. The story was one close to Omar Sharif's heart, who studied physics before embarking on his groundbreaking film career.
The 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival will run from December 9-16. Ticket packages start from Dhs275.

• Dubai