Omar Sharif’s final film to premiere at DIFF

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The final film to star the late, great Omar Sharif will receive its world premiere next month at the Dubai International Film Festival. The Egyptian actor – arguably the biggest movie star to emerge from the Arab world – died in July at the age of 83. Sharif's legacy will be marked at DIFF with the first public screening of 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham, by British director Ahmed Salim. Sharif came out of retirement to take the lead role in the short film that was produced by the United Kingdom and UAE. The film celebrates the life and accomplishments of the 11th century Arab polymath and philosopher Ibn Al-Haytham. It will be screened twice at the festival, which runs from December 9 to 16, and is competing in the Muhr Gulf Short category. Sharif was honoured with a series of screenings at the first edition of DIFF in 2004 and appeared at the 2009 edition of the festival. – The National staff

Syria Film Fest launches in Toronto

Syria Film Festival (SYFF) makes it debut on Friday, November 13, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada. The line-up for the three-day festival includes documentaries, shorts, and experimental films that tell the stories of Syrians at home and as refugees. The film programme includes 50 Feet From Syria, an Oscar-­shortlisted documentary that follows Hisham Bismar, a doctor in a Turkish hospital on the Syrian border. Guests include Syrian-American actor Jay Abdo (Queen of the Desert), 50 Feet From Syria director Skye Fitzgerald, and Siham from Not Who We Are, which closes SYFF on Sunday night. Siham is a refugee, who will be heading to Canada through the sponsorship of Toronto's Fairlawn Avenue United Church. SYFF also includes an exhibition of images taken by photojournalist Ali Mustafa in Syria before he was killed by a barrel bomb in Aleppo on assignment. – The National staff

Salman Khan responds to copyright suit

Salman Khan has responded to a copyright infringement suit filed against his blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, labelling it as an attempt to extort money. In his reply filed in the Bombay High Court, he said the movie idea was non-copyrightable because it is based on known facts about partition and issues associated with Hindus-Muslims, reports the Times of India. Just before the movie's television premiere in October, petitioner Mahim Joshi said the film had been inspired by a script written by him. Khan, the media and entertainment company Star India, writer K V V Prasad and director Kabir Khan are named in the petition. Prasad and Star India, too, have stuck to the non-copyrightable argument. – The National staff

Sridevi files complaint for non-payment of dues

Bollywood actress Sridevi has reportedly filed a case against the makers of Puli for non-payment of dues. Times of India reports that the actress is yet to receive 50 lakh rupees (Dh276,600). A source told the media outlet that the actress has filed a complaint with one of the producers' councils in Mumbai against the makers of the movie for failing to pay part of her remuneration, which was to be given after the film was released. The film, that was made on a mega budget, failed at the box office. – The National staff

Oprah defends Kardashians, Jenners

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has expressed disagreement with people who put down the Jenner-Kardashian family for being "famous for nothing". In an interview with an Australian radio show on Monday, Winfrey defended the family saying that they are really hardworking people, reports aceshowbiz.com. She said creating a reality show requires a lot of hard work and being "on all the time". A few days ago, during an interview on the same radio show, actress Rebel Wilson slammed the family for being talentless, adding that she rejected a request to present an award with Kendall and Kylie Jenner at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. – IANS

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s brother, mother honoured at festival

The brother and mother of Philip Seymour Hoffman have been honoured at a film festival in the late actor's hometown in western New York. The High Falls Film Festival in Rochester opened on Sunday with Dog Bowl, a short film written and directed by Gordy Hoffman, who grew up in suburban Fairport and now lives in Los Angeles. Festival officials presented Philip and Gordy's mother, Marilyn O'Connor, with the Rochester Film Legacy Award. The award honours a filmmaker or supporter based in the Rochester area, whose passion and dedication embodies the city's film legacy. Gordy and Philip credited their mother with inspiring their passion for movies. Philip Seymour Hoffman died of a drug overdose in 2014. The film festival runs until Monday. – AP