Steven Spielberg

    BEIJING, Sep. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Hollywood's premier cash-and-award magnet Steven Spielberg kicked off the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night.

    The opening night's gala screening is Spielberg's "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks, who has just arrived at the airport of the glorious lagoon city for the 11 days of glitz and film magic. China Radio International reported Wednesday.

    Others expected to toddle along the red carpet include Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Will Smith, John Travolta and Al Pacino.

    More than 70 feature films, many of them world premieres, will screen at the 61st edition of the world's oldest cinema competition.

    This year's festival is also about competition, particularly among the 21 films jostling for the prestigious Golden Lion awards.