The organizing committee of the 9th annual Shanghai International Film Festival not only invited Besson to head the judging panel, but helped bring about the complete retrospectives of this renowned director.

"Luc Besson is really looking forward to his trip to China, so much that he has already arranged his entire stay in Beijing and Shanghai," said the committee.

All of his nine movies will be screened in early June. However, further details have not been released. The committee said they would announce the specific arrangements on its official Website (www.9th.siff.com).

The committee has already received 702 films to review from 52 countries. It will select only 17 for the competition, of which two will be Chinese films.

More than 200 films - both domestic and international - will be screened at the festival, running from June 17 to 25.

The judging panel consists of Besson as its president and mainland director Feng Xiaogang as vice president. The other judges include British producer Duncan Kenworthy, Italian filmmaker Gabriele Salvatores, Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan and mainland actress and director Xu Jinglei.

Many world-famous stars, including Edward Norton and Catherine Deneuve are expected to attend the festival. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Shanghai Concert Hall.

Luc Besson's filmography (Directorial Credits):

The Professional (1994)

The Messanger (1999)