The 25th Moscow International Film Festival (June 20-29) has announced its competition line-up with Russian films again making their strongest presence in recent years.

Three Russian films, The Stroll directed by Alexei Uchitel, Koktbel directed by Alexey Popogrebsky and Boris Khlebnikov and Petersburg directed by Irina Yevteeva feature in the competition line-up. This is the same number as in last year's festival, however, in 2001 there were no local films competing at all.

The jury will be headed by Sergei Bodrov and includes Babak Payami, Moritz Bleibtreu, Agnieszka Holland, Ken Russell, Olga Budina and Mika Kaurismaki

Other highlights are a series of gala premieres that include Peter Greenaway's The Tulse Luper Suitcases, a focus on Czech and German films, a tribute to Gina Lollobrigida and more than 30 new Russian feature films.

Celebrity guests expected to attend include Sean Penn who will be making a repeat visit to the festival, Samira Makhmalbaf, Claude Lelouch, Youssef Chahine, Danis Tanovic, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Ken Loach. Altogether the festival will screen more than 150 films.

Competition:

Callas Forever Dir: Franco Zeffirelli
Yu Dir: Franz Novotny
The End Of A Mystery (Luz prodigiosa) Dir: Miguel Hermosa
Past Perfect (Passato Prossimo) Dir: Maria Sole Tognazzi
Que Sera, Sera (Seja O Que Deus Quiser!) Dir: Murilo Salles
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Dir: Mike Hodges
Koktbel Dirs: Alexey Popogrebsky, Boris Khlebnikov
It's Easier For A Camel (Il Est Plus Facile Pour Un Chameau) Dir: Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi
Moonlight Dir: Paula van der Oest
Long Weekend In Pest And Buda (Egy Het Pesten Es Budan) Dir: Karoly Makk
Malamor Dir:Jorje Echeverri
Petersburg Dir: Irina Yevteeva
The Stroll Dir: Alexey Uchitel
Warming up Yesterday's Lunch Dir: Kostadin Bonev
Skagerrak Dir: Soren Kragh-Jacobsen
Owl (Fukuro) Dir: Kaneto Shindo
Save The Green Planet! (Jigureul Jikyeora!) Dir: Jang Jun-Hwan
Dancing In The Dust (Raghs Dar Chobar) Dir: Asghar Farhadi
To Kill A King Dir: Mike Barker
Eila Dir: Jarmo Lampela