Oscar candidate The Promise by Chinese director Chen Kaige, has been invited to attend the 56th Berlin International Film Festival next February.

The vibrant martial arts adventure tells a love story between a princess and three men. The film will be shown out of competition.

Another Asian film selected for the program is the psychological thriller Invisible Waves by Thai director Ratanaruang Pen-ek. The film is an international co-production between The Netherlands, Thailand, Hong Kong and Korea. It will be screening as a world premiere.

Among the nine films selected so far are two German productions: new works by Oskar Roehler and Hans-Christian Schmid. Six of the confirmed films will celebrate their world premieres at the Berlinale.

The first competition films of this International Film Festival were released on Tuesday. A total of 26 films will be chosen for the Competition. The selection will be finalized by mid-January.

(eastday.com December 23, 2005)