The 27th Cairo International Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday, with more than 150 films from 40 countries participating in the event.

Of the total, 18 films from a number of countries, including China, the Republic of Korea, United States and Hungary, will attend the competition of the 11-day event.

Sherif al-Shoubashy, president of the festival, voiced hope at the opening ceremony of the festival that the event would help promote mutual understanding and friendship among the people.

"The Middle East has experienced difficulties, therefore, films and culture will in particular play a role in helping achieve peace and stability in the region," he said.

Five Chinese films were expected to participate in the festival, with one of them vying for awards.

"I am confident that our film, the Father, would be welcomed in the competition," Liang Shan, who directed the film, told Xinhua on the sideline of the opening ceremony.

The Father, which is yet to be screened in China, tells a story about love between a father and his children.

(eastday.com October 8, 2003)