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French film festival begins

The 7th French Films Panorama in China kicked off its Beijing session on Tuesday. The annual film gala aims to promote newly produced French films among local distributors, the press and the Chinese audience.

This year's panorama features a selection of 13 recently released feature films and 12 shorts, including Welcome to the Sticks directed by Dany Boon and Tomorrow at Dawn starring Vincent Perez (pictured).

A French artistic delegation of world-renowned directors, actors and producers, such as Mona Achache and Vincent Perez, traveled to Chengdu, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Shanghai before arriving in Beijing.

The filmmakers met Beijing's French movie fans in a gathering jointly held by the portal Sohu.com, Unifrance - the organization promoting French cinema worldwide, and the French Embassy in China.

A lucky fan won the chance to attend the panorama's opening banquet on Thursday and stay in a presidential suite provided by the organizers.

The event runs until April 30 in the five cities, where moviegoers can enjoy all 13 feature films with Chinese subtitles.

A tribute to undying Hong Kong spirit

Hong Kong director Alex Law's semi-autobiographical film, Echoes of the Rainbow, will hit theaters on Friday.

The bittersweet story is narrated from the point of view of an 8-year-old child - the son of a grassroots couple in 1960s Hong Kong.

Screen Daily speaks highly of the weepie: There's a lot of affection, humanity and humor in it. A long-married couple's journey through life, dealing with its challenges hand in hand, is the film's most winsome aspect.

Law says he wants to pay a tribute to the so-called Hong Kong spirit, which makes HK natives take rough times in their stride.

The film won the Crystal Bear for the Best Film at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, the first such honor for a Hong Kong film.

At the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards to be announced on April 18, the film is nominated in six categories, including those for the best screenwriter, lead actor and actress.

Kelly Chen back after birth of son

Hong Kong diva Kelly Chen lost no time in getting back in the game after giving birth to her son Chace last July.

She came to Beijing last Sunday to promote a jewelry brand for which she has been ambassador for six years. She also booked the latest gold products of the brand at the ceremony.

Chen launched her new album Chasing Dreams last month. It is her first Mandarin album in five years. The album features 10 pop songs including a duet with Hong Kong icon Alan Tam and a theme song for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Chen has maintained a positive public image since she entered the entertainment industry in 1995.

She was chosen one among the "Famous Outstanding Young Persons of the World" by Junior Chamber International in 2004 and "Young Global Leaders" by World Economic Forum in 2009.

FIFA music album shapes up

Sony Music Entertainment's music album to mark the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is in the making.

Besides international superstars - yet to be decided - the album will include local African artists. The album is supposed to be ready weeks preceding the event, which begins in June. The company's net profits on this album will be donated to Africa-related charities.