Another great day at DTFF yesterday!

Festival guests were treated to a discussion with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, co-screenwriters of the last five James Bond franchise films – from Michael Apted’s ‘The World Is Not Enough’ to the current hit release, Sam Mendes’ ‘Skyfall’. Their script for Martin Campbell’s ‘Casino Royale’ was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, and they offered tips and tales about their craft, along with clips from some of their work. 007 is clearly in good hands with this duo.

Robert Wade (L) and Neal Purvis (R) at 'Masterclass with Neil Purvis and Robert Wade' workshop during DTFF 2012. (Getty)

It was Hollywood glitz time when the MENA premiere of the much-lauded ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ hit the screen at the Al Rayyan Theatre. The highly anticipated star-studded film – it features current heartthrob Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, whose performance has been causing major buzz since the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as our honoured guest Robert De Niro in a hilarious performance as a football-crazed dad – was a hit with the audience. Don’t forget, you can still catch the film Friday, 23 November at 6:00 PM at the Al Rayyan Theatre.

DTFF’s Arab Film Competition for short films launched last evening to great acclaim. Entitled ‘Hope Springs’, the programme features five films that look at the recent changes in the Arab world with a mind to clearing away oppression and welcoming a better future – with a touch of humour and a lot of determination. Don’t miss the other Arab shorts – Programme 2: Awakenings shows today at 10:00 PM; Programme 3: Intimate Journeys is on tomorrow, 21 November, at 10:00 PM – both screenings at Katara 12.