ROME, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 67th Venice International Film Festival officially kicked off on Wednesday with a glamorous opening ceremony featuring Italy's top authorities and several movie stars.
The festival's inauguration took place at the prestigious Palazzo del Cinema, where the traditional Red Carpet was placed.
The global event, which will run on Venice's Lido up to Sept. 11 and is directed by Marco Mueller, is set to attract global attention as one of the world's most lite and socialite gatherings.
For the first time in history, Italy's head of state Giorgio Napolitano was present accompanied by his wife. He was welcomed with a standing ovation by the guests.
Crowds of fans lined up to have a view of the night's queen, actress Natalie Portman, the controversial protagonist of Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, the first film screening in competition which was launched at the ceremony.
The most favored films for the Golden Lion are Darren Aronofsky 's "Black Swan" and Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere." Italy is betting on Ascanio Celestino's "The Black Sheep" and on Saverio Costanzo's "The Solitude of Prime Numbers."
