Group Photos: Stars shining at Cannes film festivalThe 58th Cannes film festival opened Wednesday with Asian films in focus.(Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

CANNES, France, May 11(Xinhuanet)-- The 58th Cannes film festival opened Wednesday with Asian films in focus.

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai and US director Alexander Payne declared the opening of the festival.

Five Asian films are running for the top prize, the Palme d'Or,including three from China:"Shanghai Dreams", a tragic love storyby Wang Xiaoshuai, one of the leading lights of what has been called China's"Sixth Generation","Three Times" by Hou Hsiao-Hsien from Taiwan telling about lovers who meet in three separate lifetimes, and"Election" by Johnnie To from Hongkong.

Japan will be offering up Masahiro Kobayashi's topical"Bashing" about a young woman struggling with her return home after being freed as a hostage in the Middle East.

And South Korean director Hong Sangsoo will unveil"Tale of Cinema", following his 2004 entry"Woman is the Future of Man".

The sales manager of the Chinese Film Producers' Association, Joy Lee said that the remarkable Chinese presence among the nominees was the result of a concerted effort in the national cinema industry.

"Everyone knows Hong Kong films but not necessarily the ones from the mainland. We have lots of genius directors making all kinds of films. We want to let the world know now how we live today and what ideas are moving us," he said.

Emir Kusturica, president of the nine-member jury, which also includes Hong Kong's John Woo, said he was happy with the mix among the contenders.

On the sideline of the festival, a 300-member Chinese delegation is expected to celebrate at the French Riviera resort the centennial of Chinese cinema with a major bash on May 18. Enditem[1][2][3][4][5]