Richard Gere, Oliver Stone and Ronnie Screwvala recently walked the red carpet at the Dubai International Film Festival. They were there to speak at the houseful forum- Operation Cultural Bridge.

All the stars seemed to grace the red carpet at Madinat Theatre, Dubai on Friday might, December 15, 2006 at the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival.

The occasion was the panel discussion titled 'Operation Cultural Bridge-A World of Discovery' which had Hollywood heartthrob Richard Gere, filmmaker Oliver Stone, UTV’s Ronnie Screwvala, filmmaker Julia Bacha, Egyptian cinema personality Mohammad Khan who spoke at the high profile forum.

The forum, moderated by world renowned journalist Riz Khan, has been designed as a vehicle for the presentation of films that actively promote inter-cultural understanding, which thereby fosters cultural reconciliation.

The Operation Cultural Bridge, flagship event of the Dubai International Film Festival, focused around issues such as media violence, the responsibility of the artist in the world, cultural stereotypes found in cinema, and how films can be used as an instrument of peace.

Ronnie Screvwala, the only Indian on the panel focused on how the new age of Indian cinema is responsible, aware and sensitive sighting the example of 'Rang De Basanti', India’s official entry to the Oscars this year, a film that empowered the thinking of the youth.