娱乐英语新闻:Nearly 200 films to be screened at annual Tokyo film festival

TOKYO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Movie fans in Tokyo will be treated to an array of some 200 films at the annual Tokyo film festival which opened here on Saturday.

The films came from countries all around the world, organizers of the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) said. The stars to the opening ceremony were welcomed on a green carpet, which was made from recycled pet bottles, instead of traditional red one. The organizers initiated the idea in 2008 to symbolize their commitment to green issues.

A total of 15 films, including Chinese drama "Buddha Mountain," which stars Sylvia Chang, and "And Peace on Earth," an Italian film jointly directed by Matteo Botrugno and Daniele Coluccini, are set to compete for six awards, including the prestigious " Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix."

A film about the founders of the world's biggest social- networking website, "Facebook," has been selected as the opening film for the festival.

The event will be concluded by "The Town," the second directorial feature by Ben Affleck.

The highlights of the festival this year include the screening of a series of selected movies starring legendary Kung Fu movie icon Bruce Lee and the works by a new generation of directors in Taiwan.

The event will run from October 23 to 31 at the Roppongi Hills and other venues in Tokyo.