Cate Blanchett dazzles in chic floor-length gown in Dubai

She is known for turning heads when it comes to her red carpet ensembles. 

And dazzling once more, Cate Blanchett looked simply stunning as she stepped out for the Opening Night Gala of the Dubai International Film Festival held at Madinat Jumeirah on Wednesday night, where she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The actress, 48, commanded attention on her arrival in a colourful floor-length gown and showcased her youthful beauty, as she chose a pared back beauty look to showcase her striking features. 

All eyes on her: Cate Blanchett looked simply stunning as she stepped out for the Opening Night Gala of the Dubai International Film Festival held at Madinat Jumeirah on Wednesday night

Posing on arrival, Cate made sure to catch the eye in her vibrant number that boasted a fitted bodice and high ruffled neckline – nipping in at the waist to accentuate her slender frame. 

Her dress then billowed out around her legs in a striped pleated skirt, that saw her frock tie together clashing materials, including one charcoal grey hue and a pink patterned design. 

Choosing to let her dress make a statement, the Blue Jasmine star decided to keep things pared back on the beauty front as she favoured subtle yet glamorous make-up that drew attention to her youthful beauty. 

Stunning: The actress, 48, commanded attention on her arrival in a colourful floor-length gown and showcased her youthful beauty

Beauty: She chose a pared back beauty look to showcase her striking features with subtle make-up

Stunning: The actress, 48, commanded attention on her arrival in a colourful floor-length gown and showcased her youthful beauty

Chic: Posing on arrival, Cate made sure to catch the eye in her vibrant number that boasted a fitted bodice and high ruffled neckline - nipping in at the waist to accentuate her slender frame

Chic: Posing on arrival, Cate made sure to catch the eye in her vibrant number that boasted a fitted bodice and high ruffled neckline – nipping in at the waist to accentuate her slender frame

Sporting a dewy complexion, Cate teamed blusher-swept cheeks with a slick of rose pink lipgloss across her lips. She wore her blonde cropped tresses in tousled waves swept over to one side.

The Hollywood sensation was joined on the red carpet by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, who was clad in a dapper tux and bow-tie for the calendar highlight. 

Marking a special evening in the Middle East, Cate was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award as this year’s Film Festival got underway. 

Making an entrance: The Hollywood sensation was joined on the red carpet by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, who was clad in a dapper tux and bow-tie for the calendar highlight

Stylish: Her dress billowed out around her legs in a striped pleated skirt, that saw her frock tie together clashing materials, including one charcoal grey hue and a pink patterned design

Making an entrance: The Hollywood sensation was joined on the red carpet by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, who was clad in a dapper tux and bow-tie for the calendar highlight

Honour: Marking a special evening in the Middle East, Cate was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award as this year's Film Festival got underway

Honour: Marking a special evening in the Middle East, Cate was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award as this year’s Film Festival got underway

Thrilled: The Blue Jasmine star was seen clutching onto her prize on stage

Thrilled: The Blue Jasmine star was seen clutching onto her prize on stage

Leading lady: All eyes were on her as she addressed the crowd during her acceptance speech

Leading lady: All eyes were on her as she addressed the crowd during her acceptance speech

Delight! She was presented the gong by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed al-Maktoum and was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she took to the stage to accept her honorary prize

Delight! She was presented the gong by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed al-Maktoum and was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she took to the stage to accept her honorary prize

She was presented the gong by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed al-Maktoum and was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she took to the stage to accept her honorary prize.

Joining Cate on the red carpet for the event’s Opening Night Gala were the likes of Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and his wife of four years Sunny Ozell.

Stewart was also honoured at the opening gala as he too received a Lifetime Achievement Award on the night.  

Star-studded: Joining Cate on the red carpet for the event's Opening Night Gala were the likes of Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and his wife of four years Sunny Ozell

Star-studded: Joining Cate on the red carpet for the event’s Opening Night Gala were the likes of Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and his wife of four years Sunny Ozell

Glamorous: While Star Trek actor Stewart was suited and booted for the occasion, his wife Suzy favoured a glitzy low-cut frock

Glamorous: While Star Trek actor Stewart was suited and booted for the occasion, his wife Suzy favoured a glitzy low-cut frock

A-list: The Hollywood couple flashed huge smiles on their arrival to the eight day event

A-list: The Hollywood couple flashed huge smiles on their arrival to the eight day event

Success: Patrick was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Engaging: Like Cate, he took hold of the microphone and delivered a speech to other festival-goers

Success: Patrick was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Smile! Stewart appeared delighted to be honoured with the gong

Smile! Stewart appeared delighted to be honoured with the gong

Content: He was seen shaking hands with Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed al-Maktoum

Content: He was seen shaking hands with Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed al-Maktoum

Delighted: Stewart couldn't wipe the smile from his face as he returned to his seat

Delighted: Stewart couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he returned to his seat

Stranger Things actor David Harbour – he stars in the much-loved Netflix series as Police Chief Jim Hopper – was also present for the first day of the film festival. 

Model Olga Kurylenko was in attendance and dazzled in a red lace gown that was entirely embellished and came complete with a ribbon that tied together at the neck.

Dubai’s International Film Festival is the largest in the region and has been taking place since its debut in 2004. This year it will take place between 6-13 December and celebrates the latest in the film industry while offering screenings on a beach location, set along the coastline of Dubai Marina. 

Cate’s trip to Dubai comes as she has three films in post-production; Jungle Book, Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Ocean’s Eight that boasts a stellar cast including Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Helen Bonham Carter and Damien Lewis – all set for release in 2018. 

Red carpet arrivals: Stranger Things actor David Harbour was also in attendance (R) along with model Olga Kurylenko

Red carpet arrivals: Stranger Things actor David Harbour was also in attendance (R) along with model Olga Kurylenko

Red carpet arrivals: Stranger Things actor David Harbour was also in attendance (R) along with model Olga Kurylenko

Stunning: Olga looked ever so glamorous in a red lace gown that was entirely embellished and came complete with a ribbon that tied together at the neck

Stunning: Olga looked ever so glamorous in a red lace gown that was entirely embellished and came complete with a ribbon that tied together at the neck

Catching the eye: She made sure to dazzle on her entrance to the opening gala, as she stopped for photographers

Catching the eye: She made sure to dazzle on her entrance to the opening gala, as she stopped for photographers

Cate is also filming for The House with a Clock in its Walls, where she plays the role of Florence Zimmerman. 

The movie is based on the novel of the same name and is fantasy horror, directed by Eli Roth. Jack Black stars as the film’s leading role, while Cate plays a witch who is his character Jonathan Barnavelt’s neighbour and best friend. 

In a recent interview with Vogue, Cate spoke of the nature of her work which has seen her adapt from role to role for different movies over the years. 

Glamorous: Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams looked just lovely in a glittering gown that came complete with a billowing cape

Beaming: She appeared in high spirits as she worked the ensemble for the camera

Glamorous: Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams looked just lovely in a glittering gown that came complete with a billowing cape

But despite seeming extremely polished onscreen, the beauty insisted her approach to filming is ‘much more circus-like’. 

She said: ‘The reality of acting is that you can do all of the homework in the world for a part – but my relationship with performance is much more circus-like.

‘I have to jump into someone’s hands. They have to catch me at the right moment. Otherwise, there’s no trapeze act.’

Rubbing shoulders: Cate made sure to stop for a snap with the festival's chairman Abdulhamid Juma

Rubbing shoulders: Cate made sure to stop for a snap with the festival’s chairman Abdulhamid Juma

Lavish affair: The Opening Gala marks the first official day of the Dubai International Film Festival set to run from 6-13 December

Lavish affair: The Opening Gala marks the first official day of the Dubai International Film Festival set to run from 6-13 December



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