Editor's Note: As one of the Big Three film festivals, alongside the Cannes Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival, the Venice International Film Festival is acclaimed around the world for giving creators the artistic freedom to express themselves through film.

Founded in Italy in 1932, it represents the world's oldest film festival, also part of the Venice Biennale, an exhibition covering Italian and international art, architecture, dance, music, theater and cinema.

Many Chinese films and filmmakers have claimed major awards at the festival. A City of Sadness by Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-hsien was the first Chinese film to snatch the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion Award for Best Picture. The Story of Qiu Ju, directed by Zhang Yimou, later won the Golden Lion as well as Best Actress in 1992.

The 2019 Venice International Film Festival takes place Aug 28 to Sept 7. Let's have a look at the star-studded red carpet of the opening gala on Wednesday.