Venice Film Festival

The top prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival has been scooped by Venezuelan film Desde Alla, or From Afar, directed by newcomer Lorenzo Vigas. The film is the first from Venezuela to take the honour and tells the story of a rich man who begins an affair with a young man from one of the city's gangs.

Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron headed up this year’s jury.

After accepting the award director Lorenzo Vigas said, ”I want to dedicate this prize to my amazing country, Venezuela. In Venezuela we’ve had some problems in the last few years, I hope this is going to help. We are an amazing nation, and I hope we are going to start talking to each other more.”

Continue reading: Venezuelan Film 'From Afar' Wins Top Prize At Venice Festival

Amber Heard missed a hearing in Australia on Monday (7th September). She was due to appear in court to face charges of two counts of illegal dog importing brought against her by the Australian government. She did not attend the hearing and the case has been adjourned until November when another court date has been scheduled. 

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at the Met Gala in New York, May 2014.

Read More: Johnny Depp Visits Children's Hospital Dressed As Captain Jack Sparrow.

Continue reading: Amber Heard Misses ‘Dog-Smuggling’ Hearing In Australia, Case Adjourned Until November

With the Venice Film Festival kicking off this week, awards season is officially underway. Venice has been the launchpad for a number of films that have gone on to Oscar glory. Last year, the opening night film was Birdman, and the year before it was Gravity. So there are big hopes for this year's opener, the true-life thriller Everest, directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormakur with an ensemble cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright, Emily Watson and Jason Clarke.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in true story disaster thriller 'Everest'

And anticipation is running even higher for a number of other movies. Venice is hosting the premiere of The Danish Girl, the true story of one of the world's first-known transgender women, played by Eddie Redmayne. Can he win back-to-back Oscars? This week's new poster and trailer are very promising.

Continue reading: Awards Season Kicks Off With Venice Film Festival 2015

Al Pacino, now 74, has nothing left to prove in the acting word. He has an Oscar, four Golden Globes, two Emmys and two Tony awards to his name and although he may not have another Serpico or Dog Day Afternoon on the cards, Pacino is continuing to turn in stellar performances. 

Al Pacino in 'Manglehorn'

He is the big name at the Venice Film Festival and anticipation has been high for two movies featuring the legendary actor, Barry Levinson's The Humbling and David Gordon Green's Manglehorn. 

Continue reading: Al Pacino In Oscars Hunt After Stunning Venice Film Festival With 'Manglehorn'

Emma Stone looked fabulous whilst attending the opening of the 71st Venice Film Festival on Wednesday (27th August). 

Emma Stone was sporting a new haircut at the 71st Venice Film Festival.

Read More: Emma Stone To Replace Michelle Williams In Cabaret Musical.

Continue reading: Emma Stone Attends 'Birdman' Premiere At 71st Venice Film Festival [Pictures]

David Gordon Green's Manglehorn - a drama featuring a promising performance from Al Pacino - is heading to the Venice Film Festival and will screen in competition. It joins Alejandro Gonzelez Inarritu's Birdman at the 71th Venice Biennale, organizers announced on Thursday.

Al Pacino in 'Manglehorn'

Manglehorn tells the story of a locksmith in a small town in Texas, who never managed to get over the love of his life. Gordon Green has good form heading into this - he directed the excellent Prince Avalanche (2013) and drama Joe (2013), the latter of which made everyone remember how good an actor Nicolas Cage actually is. It was tipped up as a possible Oscar winner by Almost Sideways back in March.

Continue reading: Oscar Tipped Al Pacino Movie 'Manglehorn' Set For Venice Film Festival

Hayao Miyazaki has officially confirmed that he will retire after the release of his upcoming swan song, The Wind Rises, after Studio Ghibli's president, Koju Hoshino, made the initial announcement at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday (1st September). Speaking at a screening of the movie, Hoshino said that Miyazaki would hold his own press conference to confirm the news because "He wants to say goodbye to all of you."

Watch The Trailer For The Wind Rises:

In a Tokyo press conference, broadcast live across the world, Mr, Miyazaki himself announced his retirement from filmmaking. He spoke of how films, such as his previous Ponyo, had begun to take increasingly longer to make "because of his age," reports Den of Geek. "[The next film] might take seven years, which means if I did another film, I'd be 80. I feel my days of feature films are done. If I say I want to [carry on], it would be like an old man saying something foolish," he added to the solemn room.

Continue reading: Animé Director Hayao Miyazaki Will Officially Retire After 'The Wind Rises' [Trailer]

Okay, all right; you’ve heard everything there is to hear about Gravity, watched the trailer and read the mountain of glowing reviews for Alfonso Cuaron’s latest offering. It’s special. It’ll win… ninety Oscars and probably become… the 45th President of The United States.

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock have impressed in Gravity

But how about some other films?

Continue reading: Defying Gravity: What Are The OTHER Films To Look Out For At Venice Film Festival?