Chengdu, I Love You will close this year’s Venice Film Festival out of the competition. The film, co-directed by Fruit Chan and rock star Cui Jian, will be screened after the awards ceremony on September 12.

Described as a “dual love story between past and future” and also the “first science fiction film” out of the People’s Republic of China, the picture is a satirical comedy set during the 1976 earthquake of Tangshan (directed by Chan), which then zips forward to 2009 offering a Matrix-like science fiction story of contemporary China (directed by Jian).

The picture stars Anya and Guo Tao as well as Tan Weiei and Huang Xuan.

Meanwhile, the Biennale has also launched a new prize for best 3D film of the year. Entrants do not have to be part of the festival line-up.

The new award will be sponsored by eyewear brand Persol and it will be judged by a three-person jury - US critic Scott Foundas, US New York Times columnist and cinema critic Dave Kehr and experimental 3D filmmaker Nadia Ranocchi from Italy.

It comes as the Golden Lion is awarded to John Lasseter and directors from Disney/Pixar Animation studios. Footage from 3D versions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will be screened at the festival.

The festival’s complete line up will be announced Thursday, July 30.

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