The International FilmFestival Rotterdam has announced the first three films in its VPRO Tiger Awardscompetition. They are How Is Your Fish Today' by Xiaolu Gao (China/UK), Love Conquers All by Tan Chui Mui (Malaysia) and Ex-drummer by Koen Mortier (Belgium).

The competition jury willinclude Summer Palace directorLou Ye and Toronto International Film Festival director Piers Handling.

Themed programmes for the36th Rotterdam festival (Jan 24-Feb 4) will include the changing position offilm festivals in the Happy Endings strand and the Speed Of Light programmeexploring the role of light and projection.

The artist in focus will beKnut Asdam.