For glitter and glamour: The parties at Dubai International Film Festival 2014

Eva Longoria, Aloe Blacc and Emily Blunt are among the celebrities who will be attending red carpet galas as part of the Dubai International Film Festival.

Eva Longoria. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

The packed film schedule at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival will be punctuated by glamorous gala dinners and post-premiere parties. Check out the must-have invites of Diff 2014:

The opening party

The first day of Diff 2014 was marked last night by a private star and VIP-studded party held on Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah after the opening night film The Theory of Everything. Go to www.thenational.ae/diff for more.

IWC dinner

The Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen will host an upmarket dinner at the One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai tonight, where the company will announce the winner of the 2014 IWC Filmmaker Award, with brand ambassadors, the British actress Emily Blunt and the American singer Aloe Blacc, in attendance. The event is strictly by-invitation only.

Global Gift Gala

The actress Eva Longoria will be hosting the Global Gift Gala dinner on Sunday in her role as the honorary chair of the Global Gift Foundation. The non-profit organisation helps raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, women and families around the world. The gala is at Dubai's Meydan Hotel, where the American singer Cody Wise will provide the entertainment. Tickets cost Dh2,500 per person.

Moët & Chandon

Monday night's Moët & Chandon party on the rooftop of Souk Madinat at the club Pacha Ibiza Dubai is sure to attract a bubbly crowd. The invite-only soirée has a guest list that currently includes regional chief executives, VIPs and socialites. It also has a strict "red carpet' dress code.

Closing party

The closing celebrations of this year’s film festival is expected to be a glitzy affair at Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai. If you’re lucky enough to receive a coveted ticket to Wednesday night’s festivities, then expect premium beverages, gourmet canapés and a show-stopping firework display.