Over 200 productions from more than fifty countries are to be shown at the Warsaw Film Festival, which begins Friday evening.

The three week Warsaw film bash these days is one of the 13 major film festivals in the world, according to the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, which lists it in the company of Cannes, Berlin, Venice or Locarno.

The festival has a history of over twenty five years: from modest beginnings it has grown to be among the top film events, claims its director Stefan Laudyn

The opening ceremony will show The end of the world  by Aleksey Uchitiel, the Russian entry for an Academy Award next year. Its director is to be among the hundred special guests at the festival together with British film music composer Michael Nyman and Oscar winning Czech director Jan Sverak.

The festival is divided into eight sections, five of which are competitive. The International Production competition includes fifteen movies, among them Lips from Argentina by Santaigo Loza, the British Third Star by Hattie Dalton and Hungary’s Adrien Pal by Agnes Kocsis. Poland’s entry is The Christening by Marek Wrona.

There are also competitions for debut film makers and young directors and the Free Spirit competition for independent, innovatory and unconventional films. Other sections include Documentary and Short Film sections.

The international jury comprises of British director Antonina Bird, Polish film maker Andrzej Jakimowski as well as film producers Francois da Silva from France and Mike Downey from Great Britain.

Warsaw Film Festival ends on 17 October. (ab/pg)