35th Hong Kong Int'l Film Festival to open in March

Hong Kong artists Miriam Yeung attends the announcing ceremony of the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) as the festival's ambassador in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 24, 2011. The 35th HKIFF will take place between Mar. 20 and Apr. 5, 2011 and will open with the films "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Quattro Hong Kong 2". (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)

The 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is to be held in Hong Kong from March 20 to April 5, the organizer announced Thursday.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) said at a press conference on Thursday that the movie "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai will kick off the 35th HKIFF. Another opening film named "Quattro Hong Kong 2", is directed by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Kwan and three award-winning directors from Southeast Asia.

Over 300 films from over 56 countries will be screened at the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival, including 19 world premieres and 35 Asian premieres.

Hong Kong director Johnnie To (L) and script writer Wai Ka-fai, who worked on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" appear at the announcing ceremony of the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 24, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)

"The theme for this year's festival is 'Let's Meet Here' - an invitation to everyone to take part in Hong Kong's biggest celebration of film, and this year, the HKIFF continues to serve the Hong Kong public by bringing to it the best and the brightest in the contemporary and classical cinema, and the filmmaking community as a major platform to launch their new works," said HKIFFS Chairman Wilfred Wong.

"This year we received close to 1,250 submissions, and the 35th HKIFF will provide the audiences with spectacular selection of local, regional and international films," Wong added.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival was launched in 1977, it is one of Asia's most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience the latest outstanding cinema projects.

Representatives of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and other guests cheer during the announcing ceremony of the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 24, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)