South Korean film “Gyeongju” will compete for top prizes at the Locarno International Film Festival, its production company said Thursday.

The movie starring Park Hae-il and Shin Min-a has advanced to the international competition category in the 67th edition of the festival, Invent Stone Corp. said.

“Gyeongju,” directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Lu, follows the one-day journey of a young university professor to Gyeongju, one of Korea’s ancient capitals, where he encounters a beautiful and mysterious cafe owner.

Another South Korean film to be screened in the competition section is “Alive,” a drama movie by director Park Jung-bum.

Launched in Locarno, Switzerland, in 1946, the festival is one of the leading film festivals in Europe along with Cannes, Venice and Berlin. This year’s event is scheduled for Aug. 6-16.

South Korean director Hong Sang-soo won the best director’s award for “Our Sunhi” in the festival in 2013. (Yonhap)