The 5th Beijing International Film Festival kicked off on Thursday evening at the scenic Yanqi Lake on the outskirts of Beijing, where APEC meetings were held last year.

Nearly 1,000 international film makers, directors and actors, including Austrian-born U.S. actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, attended the opening ceremony.

"People think of sunshine, beaches and beautiful women at the mention of Cannes International Film Festival, and we hope 'masters, mass and market' can become the symbols for the Beijing film festival," said Zhao Zhiyong, deputy secretary general of the organizing committee.

A total of 15 films have been accepted for the main competition and a chance at the Tiantan Award, the organizer said. More than 300 films will be screened during the annual event.

The Italian film "Wondrous Boccaccia" by the Taviani brothers kicked off the festival. The film, which had its international premiere in Beijing, is based on the Italian literary masterpiece "The Decameron."

French director Luc Besson will chair the jury of the Tiantan Award, which also includes Robert Mark Kamen from the United States, South Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk, Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, Russia's Fyodor Bondarchuk, Peter Chan from Hong Hong and Chinese actress Zhou Xun.

The Tiantan Award offers awards in ten categories, including best feature film, best director, best actor, best actress and best music.

Film forums, film premieres, and other events are featured on the schedule of the annual film festival.

The event will run until April 23. Endi

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