Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world, was first held in 1932. The first Australian film selected for screening was The Flying Doctor in 1937, which won the Segnalazione, and we have had at least one film at the festival in the past 22 years (with the exception of 2003) . The Tale of Ruby Rose received four awards in 1987. It was written and directed by Roger Scholes and set in the remote highlands of Tasmania. Since 1993 three Australian shorts have been awarded the Silver Lion.

Venezia, the International film competition for full-length feature films is judged by an International Jury composed of 7-9 representatives from the world of cinema and the arts in general, each from a different country. Awards include the Golden Lion for Best Film, Jury Grand Prix, Special Prize for Best Director, Prize for Best Script, Coppa Volpi for Best Actor, Coppa Volpi for Best Actress, 'Marcello Mastroianni' Award for Best Young Actor or Actress, Golden Medal of the Italian Senate.

The competitive section for short non-animation films, Corto-Cortissimo is judged by an International Jury composed of three representatives from the world of cinema and the arts in general. A Silver Lion and two Special Mentions are awarded.

There are several non-competitive sections in the festival, including Critics' Week, selected by the National Association of Italian Film Critics, and New Territories for films and audiovisual materials employing a multiplicity of media and forms of expression.

Films selected for Window on Images (Finestra sulle immaginini) investigate the language of cinema, the story-telling process and the use of new technologies.

For information on all categories of Venice International Film Festival, refer to the Festival Profiles page on the Screen Australia website.

Awards won are summarised in the tables 'Award-winning Australians and Australian films 1937-2008' and 'Australian films screened to 2008'. Awards won are indicated by '*' in each category. The director's name is included in brackets.