Venice film festival kicked off with the premiere of George Clooney's ‘The Ides of March’.


The 68th edition of the Venice film festival kicked off on Wednesday (August 31) evening with a starry ceremony and the premiere of George Clooney s ‘The Ides of March’, a political drama starring Ryan Gosling.

The August 31-September 10 event, which promises eagerly awaited movies and A-list stars who will hope the Venice launch puts them in the frame for awards next year.

Thousands of journalists and fans have descended on the Lido island to catch a glimpse of their idols and bring the glamour of the world s oldest film festival to a global audience.

The roll call of celebrities expected this year includes Clooney, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and pop superstar Madonna.

Among the hotly anticipated titles are ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ starring recent Oscar winner Colin Firth and Gary Oldman and Briton Andrea Arnold s take on the Emily Bronte novel "Wuthering Heights".

Outside the main competition of 22 films, Madonna brings her second feature film ‘W.E.’, a drama loosely based on American divorcee Wallis Simpson whose relationship with Britain s King Edward VIII led to his abdication in 1936.

Steven Soderbergh promises an all-star cast including Damon, Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Law and Paltrow in "Contagion", about a lethal airborne virus that spreads panic.

Director Darren Aronofsky, who last year presented "Black Swan" at the festival, heads this year s international jury.

"It s like Christmas every day, there is a new box and a new treasure every day and we are all incredibly excited. Also on behalf of the jury I d like to say that we are going to approach each film with open hearts and clear minds and we will judge films purely on how they make us feel and what they make us think. Thank you very much," Aronofsky told guests.