Pyongyang, October 23 (KCNA) -- The 18th Pyongyang International Film Festival opened at the Pyongyang International Cinema House on Wednesday.

Present at the opening ceremony were Vice-Premier Kim Myong Hun, officials concerned, creators and artistes in the field of the motion picture industry and working people in Pyongyang, foreign delegations and delegates and international judges on a visit to the DPRK to take part in the festival.

Members of the diplomatic corps here and overseas compatriots staying in the homeland were invited to the ceremony.

Ri Song Un, director-general of the National Administration of Motion Picture Industry who doubles as chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee, made an opening address.

He warmly welcomed the participants in the festival and said that the festival serves as significant occasion of deepening the good-neighborly and friendly ties between the world progressive countries and moviemen under the ideal of independence, peace and friendship.

He expressed belief that the festival would achieve good successes thanks to the sincere efforts and cooperation among all the participants.

The flag of the festival was hoisted and the international judges were introduced.

Sergei Tyutin, chairman of the international judging committee, made a congratulatory speech.

Then, prizes of the festival and films presented to the festival were introduced and an art performance was given in honor of the participants in the festival.

At the end of the ceremony the participants watched the Russia-China co-produced film. -0-