An array of fun characters including homesick Dorothy, curious Cheburashka and naughty Martha will all be featured in Hong Kong International Children's Film Carnival 2005 from July 16 to August 21 in the annual summer extravaganza of "International Arts Carnival" (IAC).

According to a government press release on Thursday, this year's carnival will showcase many outstanding feature films as well as animated films and shorts from around the world.

They include the much-loved Hollywood family classic, The Wizard of Oz, and the popular Russian animated series -- The Adventures of Cheburashka & Friends.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the screenings will take place at the Theater of the Hong Kong City Hall, the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Space Museum and two other cinemas.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Danish fairy tale master Hans Christian Andersen, three remarkable fairy tales including Hans the Clopper, The Tinderbox and The Snow Queen will be screened.

Animated films and shorts from various countries like Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, South Korea and selected award-winning local animated shorts will also join the carnival this year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2005)