TEHRAN The 20th Istanbul International Film Festival opened with a special ceremony on Saturday.

According to an IRNA report, some 178 feature films from 39 countries have taken part in this festival.

The Iranian film ****Smell of Camphor, Perfume of Jasmin" by Bahman Farman-Ara has participated in the International Competition Section of the festival. The best film of this section will receive the Golden Tulip of the festival.

The Iranian film is expected to compete with eleven other films from Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, the United States, France, Poland, Norway, Germany, Italy, and Russia in this section of the festival.

Meanwhile, the two other Iranian films ****The Day I Became a Woman**** by Marzieh Meshkini and ****Circle**** by Ja'far Panahi will take part in the Non-Competition Section of the festival.

More than 80 foreign guests, including famous directors and artists, are present at the 20th Istanbul International Film Festival.