The 3rd Beijing International Film Festival has 15 films from 10 countries nominated for its first ever competition section.

"Urga" director Nikita Mikhalkov, who is also a Golden Lion winner, will serve as head of the jury for the newly established 'Tiantan' or Temple of Heaven Award.

The nomination list includes two Chinese films, "Feng Shui," by Wang Jing, as well as "Back to 1942," by Feng Xiaogang.

The winners of the awards will be announced at the closing ceremony next month.

Organizers say a total of 531 films from 56 countries have been submitted to the Beijing International Film Festival for consideration.

The opening ceremony of the week-long festival will be held at the Temple of Heaven here in Beijing on April 16th.

About 4 thousand domestic and international entrepreneurs, filmmakers and professionals attended the festival last year.