Jia Zhangke's latest film to compete at Cannes Film Festival

Chinese director Jia Zhangke's latest film Shan He Gu Ren (Mountains may depart) will compete at this year's Cannes Film Festival, along with at least 16 other films, Thierry Fremaux, director of the festival, announced Thursday.

The Chinese director, screenwriter and producer Jia Zhangke, who was a member the jury in last year's festival, will have his new movie compete for the Palme d'Or -- the top prize of this annual film event.

Two other Asians films are also selected to compete this year, The Assasin from Taiwan by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and Umimachi Diary from Japan by Kore-Eda Hirokazu.

Carol starring Kate Blanchett, Sea of Trees starring Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts, La Giovinezza starring Michael Caine and Jane Fonda are also listed in the line-up.

According to the organizers, 17 films have been selected so far for the main competition, but the final number of the movies competing should reach about 20 in the coming weeks.

Natalie Portman's directing debut A Tale Of Love And Darkness will participate at the Special Screening section, while Woody Allen's Irrational Man will be in the Out of Competition section.

This year's opening film is the French movie La Tete Haute (Standing Tall) by French actress, film director and screenwriter Emmanuelle Bercot.

The 68th Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival) will be held from May 13 to 24 in Cannes, with a jury headed by U.S. brothers Joel and Ethan Coen.