The film festival, held at several cinemas and cultural halls in the city center, is hosted by the festival's executive committee jointly with Hong Kong Special Administration Region Economic and Trade Office, other public organizations and companies from Asian countries.

　　About 500 film lovers attended the opening ceremony held Friday evening in a major movie theater in the city center.

　　Presiding over the opening of the 8th edition of the international event, Hong Kong maestro Johnnie To said at the ceremony that he was happy to return to the Osaka event after 2010, when his "Vengeance" was screened there, and to introduce for the first time in Japan his latest film "Drug War", which was all filmed in the Chinese mainland.

　　"Osaka Asian Film Festival is the ideal venue where all Asian people can enjoy their movie culture together as one," the director said.

　　According to the festival's executive committee, films from 15 countries and regions will be shown during the 10-day event to contest for OAFF 2013 Awards.