The film, Lebanon, directed by the Israeli Samuel Maoz, has won the Golden Lion at the Venice film festival. It is set in the 1982 war and is based on the director's own experiences, with most of the film taking place in a moving tank.

The best actor award went to British film star Colin Firth for his performance in A Single Man, while the Russian, Ksenia Rappoport, was voted best actress in La Doppia Ora.

The Silver Lion for best director went to Iranian video artist Shirin Neshat for Women without Men. The Turkish-German director Fatih Akin won a special jury prize for his film, Soul Kitchen.

photo: Venice film festival (flickr/BEAT NIK)