KYOTO, Japan, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Shang Changrong, a famous Beijing Opera artist from China, was decorated with the Most Respect Award at the opening ceremony of the 5th Kyoto International Film and Art Festival (KIFF) here on Thursday.

A film named Cao Cao and Yang Xiu with Shang playing the main character Cao, will be screened at the festival. The film tells the tragic story between Cao, a politician and poet in China's Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), and Yang, a lower official who served as advisor to Cao but was later executed by Cao.

"Beijing Opera is very colorful and interesting. I sincerely invite you all to watch this film," Shang said at the ceremony, adding that he hopes Japanese people would enjoy this traditional Chinese art form.

The KIFF started in 2014 in Kyoto, often called "the Birthplace of Japanese Films," highlighting not only films but also the city's rich and vibrant artistic tradition.

During the four-day event this year, more than 70 films will be screened and a number of cultural activities held at dozens of theaters and cultural facilities across Kyoto.

According to the organizer, the Most Respect Award, one of the awards given at the festival, was set up to honor world-renowned actors and filmmakers.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the festival will also host a "Shanghai Night" dialogue between artists from both China and Japan.