The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened on Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film, reports Xinhua News.
The festival’s international competition jury is chaired by US actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Hong Kong director Johnnie To is also among the jury members.
At the opening ceremony, US actor, director and producer George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
The festival will run until 12 September, bringing filmmakers, actors and cinema professionals to Venice for one of the most important events on the international film calendar.
First held in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival is regarded as one of Europe’s three major film festivals, alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany.
The festival’s main competition will determine the recipient of the Golden Lion, its highest honour, while other sections will showcase films from around the world.
