Shanghai revs up 9th edition of film fest

First out of the starting gate after the Cannes International Film Festival (May 17th – 25th) is the Shanghai International Film Festival which runs June 17-25. This will be the 9th edition of the Fest. Accompanied by two Japanese women dressed in kimono, Danish actress Rie Rasmussen (2nd L) and French director Luc Besson (2nd R) pose for photographers during a press event held for the promotion of Besson's latest movie 'Angel-A',in Tokyo, Monday 8 May 2006. The movie was screened in Japan on 13 May. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Accompanied by two Japanese women dressed in kimono, Danish actress Rie Rasmussen (2nd L) and French director Luc Besson (2nd R) pose for photographers during a press event held for the promotion of Besson's latest movie 'Angel-A',in Tokyo, Monday 8 May 2006. The movie was screened in Japan on 13 May. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHONAlready encouraged by over 682 feature film entries from 52 countries, the Festival is looking to have its largest international presence yet.Top lining (as presdient) its jury is French director, screenwriter, producer Luc Besson, followed by Chinese director, screenwriter Feng Xiaogang, Vice President; Spanish director, screenplay writer Manuel Gutiérrez Aragon; Mexican actress Diana Bracho; English producer Duncan Kenworthy; Korean director Kyung-taek Kwak, Chinese Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan; Italian director Gabriele Salvatores and Chinese director, actress Ju Jinglei.Actors sked to appear at the fest include Edward Norton, Catherine Deneuve, Andie MacDowell, Sigourney Weave, Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson.The Festival also features a panorama section and a film market.