The 36th Ghent International Film Festival (October 6-17) will have a continent-specific themed programme for the first time, focusing on Asia.

The annual Benelux festival will pay special attention to China, in the year it will host arts festival Europalia.

Ghent is planning a special programme of Chinese films across its sections, to give a broad overview of recentChinese cinema.

Film-maker Wang Quan’an and actress Yu Nan will be special guests in Ghent and serve on the international jury. They will also show several films including Tuya’s Marriage.

The festival will also honour Japanese anime art and film with an interactive exhibition — Anime! High Art - Pop Culture — at the Caermers Convent in Ghent. The exhibit, running October 9 to January 10, 2010, will include drawings, 3D models and film clips.

The festival as usual will have an emphasis on film music, welcoming Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi, who will give a concert on October 15. He has collaborated on films including In The Mood For Love, House Of Flying Daggers and Fearless.

The festival will close October 17 with the ninth World Soundtrack Awards.

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