Those wanting a reprieve from soccer and the chance to relax for one day before the final of the Euro 2004 campaign, could do worse than to note July 3 in their diary.

KRS Film Distributors has chosen that day to celebrate National Cinema Day, offering moviegoers the chance to watch nine films on 36 big screens across the country.

KRS general manager Charles Pace said that last year 23,000 admissions were registered on the day - a good increase over the previous year.

"This day is a way of saying thank you to those who watch films during the year and at the same time gives others who cannot afford to visit the cinema so often the chance to do so," Mr Pace said.

KRS will be showing the DreamWorks animated film Shrek 2, which will open in Malta the night before, on July 2.

Shrek 2 is an ingenious follow-up to an already witty film and in the US it had gross takings of $354 million in less than four weeks.

The nine films which will show on National Cinema Day include Secret Window, a psychological thriller starring Johnny Depp; and Jersey Girl, a comic drama featuring Ben Affleck.

KRS will also be showing Our House, a comedy with Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Van Helsing, a mix of fantasy and horror starring Kate Beckinsale; the action-packed drama The Day After Tomorrow; Troy, starring Brad Pitt, and the romantic comedy Win a Date With Tad Hamilton.

On National Cinema Day the films will be screened at Eden Century Cinemas in St George's Bay; Empire Cinemas, Bugibba; Embassy Cinema World, Valletta; Eden Cinema Complex, Galleria, Fgura; Sun City Cinemas, Marsascala, St James Cavalier, Valletta and the Citadel Cinema in Gozo.

Booking for the films opens on June 28.