Venice Film Festival brings summer to an end

Holidaymakers heading to Italy this year may like to take in some culture during their break and catch some of the Venice Film Festival.

Taking place between August 27th and September 6th, the Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica features a number of screenings at various cinemas around Rome but is mainly based in the Lido area.

There are four sections to the event: In Competition, Out of Competition, the documentary section Horizons and short film section Corto Cortissimo.

Marco Muller, the producer of 2003 film Mud and 2001's The Secret Ballot, is to direct this year's festival which, according to whatsonwhen.com, is "one of the most glamorous end-of-summer events in the world".

The event traditionally sponsored non-Hollywood cinema, the website added, but this has changed in recent years as more movie makers compete for the famous Golden Lion prize and other accolades.

Following the festival, September 7th sees the annual Historic Regatta in Venice, where 13th century boats fill the city's Grand Canal.

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