Thiruvananthapuram: As the curtain falls on the IFFI (International Film Festival of Kerala) at Goa today (Dec 9, 2004), stage is set for the next event in the global film calendar, the International Film Festival of Kerala, which begins in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow (Dec 10, 2004).

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would inaugurate the ninth edition of the festival at the Nisagandhi auditorium in the presence of renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal.

'Two Zero Four Six (2046), the critically acclaimed work by Hong Kong director Kar Wai Tong, would be the opening movie of the eight-day festival, being conducted by the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.

Around 150 films from around the world would be screened at the festival, which had earned a place in the calendar of the Federation of International Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF), which monitors the conduct of festivals worldwide.

A total of 16 films have been selected for the competition section for Asian and Latin American films. The 'World Cinema' section has 57 new films from around 40 countries.

'Swaas' (Sandeep Sawant), 'Akale' (Shyamaprasad), Ring of Fire (Pahij Hojeij/Lebanon-France), The Syrian Bride (Eran Riklis/Israel-Germany-France), Days of Santiago (Josue Mendez/ Peru) and Passing By (Ricardo Elias/Brazil/Chile) are among the films to vie for the coveted 'Suvarna Chakoram' (Golden Crow Pheasant) award carrying Rs 10 lakh.

A five-member jury chaired by Mexican filmmaker Paul Leduc would select the best film, best director and best debut director from the competition section.