Chinese mainland actress Gong Li and Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai are on the star-heavy roster for the upcoming festivities to celebrate the Cannes Film Festival's 60th anniversary.

Shanghai Youth Daily confirmed the news Monday, citing Gong Li expressing her excitement over the invitation.

Wong Kar-wai's latest work My Blueberry Nights, starring Grammy winner Norah Jones and Star Wars star Natalie Portman, has also been chosen to open the festival, running from May 16 to 27.

It will become the first Chinese-directed opener.

Also showing up for the festival are Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

The festival will round up a slew of films, including Ocean's?13 by Steven Soderbergh and Grindhouse by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.

Chinese filmmakers Jiang Wen and Wang Xiaoshuai are also hoping to earn a spot for their movies The Sun Also Rises and Left Right.

(CRI.cn April 9, 2007)