In conjunction with the municipal government, the city of Paris will inaugurate a new film festival this summer entitled Paris Cinema.

The event will run from July 2 - 15 in cinemas throughout the French capital.

Director Costa Gavras will serve as President of the organisational board while former Cannes Director's Fortnight programmer Marie-Pierre Macia will head up the artistic direction of the festival.

Some 20 films will premiere during the festival which will incorporate an official competition, sidebars, workshops and tributes.

The major awards categories are: The audience award, voted on by spectators and carrying a purse of Euros 18,000. Franco-German channel Arte will also grant an award via a purchase of TV rights. A press jury will award a novice producer with a prize and a jury of students from local universities will also vote.

Delphine Seyrid will receive a tribute. Daniel Toscan du Plantier and Maurice Pialat, both of whom passed away in the last year, will also be honoured.

Various other activities such as outdoor screenings and workshops will also be on offer. Workshop topics include: cinema's place in the European constitution, French and European film financing and cinema's relationship to urban development.

As the festival will be open to the public, low-price tickets are to be offered to encourage attendance.

Falling as it does in July, the festival could be a much needed shot in the arm for local summer box-office.