Athens int'l Film Fest opens Thursday September 19, 2005 The 11th Annual Athens International Film Festival, titled Premieres, will kick off on Thursday, featuring 151 films of Greek and foreign filmmakers, both established and up-and-coming, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis announced on Wednesday. According to the mayor, international film industry celebrities, among them actor Daniel Day Lewis, Korean director Kim Ki Duk, Greek directors Costas Gavras and Theodoros Angelopoulos will be attending the festival making it a truly international, cultural event. Bakoyannis also referred to the Athens festival's innovative element, which is that the panel of judges is made up of young adults. This year, only students of audio-visual studies, film and drama schools from all over Europe will make up the panel. Organisers hope to establish the festival as a dynamic 'workshop' where youngsters from throughout Europe will have the opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and be inspired. The festival is being organised by the trade magazine Cinema with the support of the Municipality of Athens. Author : Athens News Agency