PROTESTS AT BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL

Hundreds of student protestors has bombarded the opening of this year's (04) BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL in a bid to draw attention to the recent education cuts in Germany.

Angry students tried to force their way into the festival in MARLENE DIETRICH SQUARE last night (05FEB04), much to the disdain of festival president DIETER KOSSLICK.

FARGO star FRANCES McDORMAND - who is chairing the jury - was encouraging of the students' protests, saying, "I love that, that's fabulous. We are the people."

Angry Kosslick is baffled by the protestors' choice of venue, fuming, "That's stupid. The foreign guests won't understand what it is about, they will think we are rioters throwing things."

Crowds at the festival were disappointed when RENEE ZELLWEGER, JUDE LAW and NICOLE KIDMAN failed to attend a screening of COLD MOUNTAIN, although MIRAMAX boss HARVEY WEINSTEIN promised Zellweger and Law would take a break from filming to make an appearance later on at the festival.

Other stars expected in Berlin are JACK NICHOLSON, DIANE KEATON, CATE BLANCHETT, JULIETTE BINOCHE, JULIE DELPY, PETER FONDA, ROBIN WILLIAMS, WOODY HARRELSON and ETHAN HAWKE.