Renowed Chinese film star Zhang Ziyi has been invited as a panel judge by the Venice Film Festival, becoming the second mainland actress after Gong Li to get the honor.

Zhang Ziyi's agent has confirmed the news, but could not give a definite answer when she will accept the invitation because of the star's busy schedule.

Reports say that the actress may well be involved in a Hollywood movie this September, making her presence at the film festival unlikely.

Zhang Ziyi gained her fame in the western world after her performance in the Oscar-winning martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

She also starred in Jackie Chan's Rush Hour 2 and Hong Kong film maker Wong Kar Wai's 2046.

Her latest movie role is in her mentor Zhang Yimou's second kung fu epic, House of Flying Daggers, which is to premiere in Beijing on July 10th. (Photo Source: Sina.com)

(CRI June 23, 2004)