Six Chinese films have applied to compete at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 11 to 21.

The films include Zhang Yuan's Looks Beautiful, renowned Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan's latest project Song of Eternal Sorrow and Hong Kong gangster film director Johnnie To's Gangsterdom.

The Cannes' Director will pick 15 films to compete for the Palme d'Or out of over 1,000 films entered. The result will be announced April 20.

According to Screen International, an authoritative magazine in the global film industry, there is a good chance that Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle and To's Gangsterdom will be included in the Palme d'Or competition.

Chinese films are predicted to be featured prominently also in the market place at the festival. Chinese director Chen Kaige's first martial-arts film The Promise, Hong Kong veteran filmmaker Tsui Hark's Seven Swords and Hollywood action star Jackie Chan's The Myth will premiere at the annual film extravaganza.

(Shenzhen Daily April 14, 2005)