VENICE, Italy, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film.
The international jury for the competition is chaired by U.S. actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, with director Johnnie To from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region among its members.
At the opening ceremony, U.S. actor, director and producer George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
The festival, which runs until Sept. 12, was first held in 1932. Alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, it is regarded as one of Europe's three major film festivals.
