Mexican film director Guillermo del Toro scored the biggest award of the evening, the Golden Lion for his fantasy romance "The Shape of Water." Known for other fantasy epics like "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy," del Toro summed up his outlook on his profession in his acceptance speech: "I believe in life, I believe in love, and I believe in cinema."

French director and actor Xavier Legrand became emotional while accepting the Silver Lion award for Best Director for his family drama "Jusqu'a la garde" (English title: "Custody"). The film deals with the fallout of a divorce and the resulting custody arrangement for the children involved.

The Volpi Cup for Best Actor was awarded to Kamel El Basha for his role in the Lebanese-French co-production "The Insult." The movie deals with how the conflict in the Middle East plays out in every life, as a Lebanese Christian and a Palestinian refugee have an argument that attracts national attention, as the quarrel goes to court.

The Volpi Cup for Best Actress went to Charlotte Rampling for her performance in "Hannah," a drama that depicts the trauma of a woman struggling to carry on with her life after her husband's imprisonment. The Emmy and Academy Award-nominated actress said that despite having a long list of awards already, the award from the Venice Film Festival meant a lot to her, as Italy is her "inspiration."

Israeli director Samuel Maoz won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize for his drama "Foxtrot," which deals with the bereavement of two parents having learned that their son has died in the line of duty as a soldier. The movie was a co-production of Israel, Germany, France and Switzerland.

Martin McDonagh scored the Best Screenplay Award for his drama "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri." In the movie, a foul-mouthed woman played by Frances McDormand confronts the incompetence of her local law enforcement unit after the murder of her daughter by erecting three billboards to challenge the police and indeed the entire town.

US actress Annette Bening presided over Venice Film Festival jury this year as the first female since 2006. "I was thrilled to be asked to be here," Bening said about the experience. The four-time Oscar nominee added that times were changing for the film industry with a growing number of women getting recognized as directors. She stressed, however, that there was still "a long way to go."

With Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in the leads, "The Tourist" was supposed to be an automatic success. But the 2010 film by German director Forian Henckel von Donnersmarck turned out to be a major flop. Critics said the actors were uninspired, the plot superficial and the director too little known in the US. Not even the Venice backdrop could rescue the film.

"Casino Royale," Daniel Craig's debut as British spy James Bond, proved much more successful - and ushered in a new era for the 007 series in 2006. Craig portrayed Bond as a tough fighter who really didn't care whether his martini was shaken or stirred. He does have a soft spot for his lover Vesper (Eva Green), though - but she betrays him in the end.

The romantic city of Venice was also the setting for a horror classic. In 1973, Donald Sutherland played John, a church restorer whose daughter drowns in "Don't Look Now." In Venice, he and his wife meet two sisters who claim to have clairvoyant abilities. John doesn't believe them - until he starts experiencing mysterious sightings himself.

In the 1971 film adaptation of Thomas Mann's 1911 novel "Death in Venice," a composer experiencing a crisis hopes to find inspiration in Venice. Instead he meets a good-looking young man who becomes his muse. But their relationship turns into an obsession that the composer is unable to control.

After visiting the ancient Greek city of Paestum in southern Italy, Rosalba (Licia Maglietta) misses her bus. She makes the most of the situation and takes a short trip to Venice - which turns into a rather long one, even though her family is waiting for her. The light comedy, "Bread and Tulips" (2000), depicts Venice as the ideal place to break out of everyday routines.

Joseph Fiennes took the title role in the 2004 film adaption of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." The Venetian merchant Antonio is forced to borrow money so that he can court the young Portia, who is from a noble family. Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons co-star in the film.

Further proof that literature contributed to Venice's reputation as a film city is the 2006 German production "The Thief Lord," based on the youth book by Cornelia Funke. After the death of their mother, brothers Bo and Prosper flee to Venice to get away from their aunt and her husband. Once again, Venice becomes the backdrop for a turning point in life.