13th Pyongyang International Film Festival opens

PYONGYANG, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Pyongyang International Film Festival opened here on, with around 30 feature and documentary films from over 50 groups in 30 countries competing for the "torch prize" of the film festival.

More than 90 films will be screened during the festival, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK's) first two co-produced movies "Meet in Pyongyang" with China, and "Comrade Kim Goes Flying" with a British director.

"The Pyongyang International Film Festival serves as an opportunity to intensify the exchange of films and will contribute to international friendship in the idea of independence, peace and friendship," Culture Minister Hong Gwang Sun said during the opening ceremony.

Five people, including directors, producers and critics from the DPRK, China, Russia, Germanyand Australia, will sit on the jury. Film exchange meetings and a DPRK movie preview are also scheduled during the festival.

Festival films from a wide range of countries and themes will be shown at the Pyongyang International Cinema House and seven other large cinemas across the city during the coming week.

The bi-annual Pyongyang International Film Festival, which has been held since 1987, will end on Sept. 27.