21 Films Compete for the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival

The 83rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival kicked off on the Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal heads the international jury for the competition, which includes Hong Kong-born director Johnnie To as a member. At the opening ceremony, American actor, director, and producer George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. The festival, which will run until September 12, was first held in 1932 and is considered one of Europe’s three major film festivals, alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany.