"The Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival 2012" opened on Friday evening in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka, featuring more than 230 works from across Asia with ultimate aim of nurturing friendship and promoting cultural and international exchanges between peoples from different cultures in the region.
The film festival, held at several cultural halls and conference venues in the city center, is hosted by the festival's executive committee and Fukuoka City.
Presiding over the opening of the 22nd edition of the international event, Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima said at a ceremony that this year's selection introduces a wide variety of Asian motion pictures from 15 countries and regions offering quality entertainment and thought-provoking socially aware drama.
"The film festival has a purpose of introducing the best in Asian films to the world, deepening an understanding of Asia on a civic level," the mayor said.
During the 10-day event, 37 films, including the latest movies from China, India, Turkey and Iran, will contest for the award, Fukuoka Audience Award. The Fukuoka event has been held every year since 1991. The organizers expect more than 25,000 visitors to come to the event sites during the festival period.