TheCopenhagen International Film Festival (Aug 18-28) is to concentrateexclusively on screening European films.

Thefestival's new programme chief Jacob Neiiendam plans to raise the percentage ofEuropean films playing at the event from 70% to 100%.

"Weare narrowing the concept geographically but at the same time expect to spreadour wings genre wise. Often European genre films are squeezed ontovideo-release with only a few existing European cinema slots reserved for artfilms," said Neiiendam.

Thefirst film to be announced for the festival's competition line-up is LajosKoltai's Fateless.

Onenew innovation is the European Thrills section, which will feature titles suchas the French thriller 36 Quai Des Orfevres by Olivier Marchal.

Thefestival has also created a new sidebar called Sixty Years Latershowcasing new films and documentaries about the Second World War.

Anothersidebar will feature European cartoons turned into films, featuring titles suchas Enki Bilal's Immortel and Spanish hit La Gran Aventura De Mortadelo Y Filemonfrom theFrancisco Ibanez comic books.

Thefestival's lifetime achievement goes this year to French director Costa-Gavras.

Thechairman of the festival's jury will be announced shortly.