BUENOS AIRES (AFP) — An international festival of erotic film gets underway in Argentina this week, with a grand prize winner to be chosen from among various entries celebrating on-screen carnal pleasures.

The guest of honor at the 2007 Buenos Aires International Film Festival is ex-porn queen and former member of Italy’s parliament Ilona Staller, known to her fans as “La Cicciolina.”

The Hungarian-born porn Staller, a former member of Italy’s Radical Party, was known for her habit of exposing her breasts during political appearances.

Organizers said they were eagerly awaiting her arrival in Buenos Aires.

“‘La Cicciolina’ has promised to be there, and we’re expecting her,” a spokesman said about the film star, now in her mid-fifties, according to news reports.

The festival runs from November 15 to 18 according to its website, www.ficeba.net.

In addition to selecting a grand prize winner, the event also will feature an exhibition of sexually suggestive painting and sculpture, offer strip-tease classes to participants, and hold other events dedicated to eroticism.