The 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival has opened with twenty films vying for the Golden Lion. Kicking off the world's oldest film festival on Wednesday 28 August, were Sandra Bullock and George Clooney starring in the 3D space odyssey "Gravity," which made its world premiere out of competition. Joining them at the premiere on Venice's Lion island were Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon and host Eva Riccobono.

Oscar-winning director Bernardo Bertolucci heads the Venice Film Festival's jury with contenders for the coveted Golden Lion including Terry Gilliam's "The Zero Theorem," Peter Landesman's "Parkland" and Kelly Reichardt's "Night Moves."

Prizes will be announced on 7 September.