The 60th Locarno International Film Festival, which opened in Switzerland on August 1, honored Taiwan's leading film director Hou Hsiao-hsien for his lifetime achievements.

Yesterday the Leopard of Honor trophy was handed to Hou Hsiao-hsien in recognition of his long-term contribution to the movie industry. The lifetime achievement award is given to key contributors in the history of contemporary cinema, according to the festival's website.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien's first French film Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge (The Flight of the Red Balloon) was also screened at the festival.

On August 8, the festival will also hold a film retrospective cataloging the work of many prominent filmmakers. It will include Yi Yi, the last film of the late Taiwan director Edward Yang. He rose to global prominence at the festival, the organizer said.

On June 29 Yang died this year at age 59 in the United States due to complications from colon cancer. He had won two awards at the Swiss film festival in 1985 and 1986 respectively.

In addition, the festival will screen The Drummer, starring Jaycee Chan, Jackie Chan's son, and Hong Kong actress Angelica Lee on August 9.

The Locarno International Film Festival is an annual international film festival held in the city of Locarno, Switzerland. The festival was founded in 1946, and is held every August. One feature of the festival is the open-air screening space on Locarno's Piazza Grande, with room for 8,000 spectators. The top prize in the festival is the "Golden Leopard" or the "Pardo d'Oro", awarded to the best film. Other awards include the Silver Leopard, and the Bronze Leopard.

Taiwan's leading film director Hou Hsiao-Hsien poses with his Leopard of Honor trophy at the 60th Locarno International Film Festival held in Locarno, Switzerland, on Monday, August 6, 2007. The life achievement award is given to key contributors to the history of contemporary cinema, says the festival's website. Hou Hsiao-Hsien's first French film Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge (Flight of the Red Balloon) was also screened at the festival.

Taiwan's leading film director Hou Hsiao-Hsien kisses his Leopard of Honor trophy at the 60th Locarno International Film Festival held in Locarno, Switzerland, on Monday, August 6, 2007. The life achievement award is given to key contributors to the history of contemporary cinema, says the festival's website. Hou Hsiao-Hsien's first French film Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge (Flight of the Red Balloon) was also screened at the festival.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui August 7, 2007)