Chinese director Jia Zhangke has been chosen as the Filmmaker in Focus at this year's Hawaii International Film Festival which opens on Thursday, October 14, the festival organizing committee has announced.

A screening session featuring several of Jia's films is on the festival's 11-day agenda as a tribute to the director.

Jia will premiere his latest film, the documentary "I Wish I Knew" ("Hai Shang Chuan Qi") which reviews Shanghai's contemporary history through interviews.

Well received by international festivals, Jia is best known for his Golden Lion win in 2006 for the drama "Still Life" ("Sanxia Haoren").

Another Chinese director, Zhang Yimou, will also be highlighted when his 1970s-era film "Under the Hawthorn Tree" ("Shanzhashu Zhi Lian") opens the festival.

A South Korean film "71: Into the Fire" ("Pohwasogeuro") will close the festival on October 24.