VENICE, Italy, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 82nd Venice Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award.

This year's international jury is chaired by American director Alexander Payne, with Chinese actress Zhao Tao among its members.

At the opening ceremony, German director Werner Herzog and American actress Kim Novak received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

In addition to the main competition, the festival features sections such as "Horizons," "Venice Classics" and "Venice Immersive," as well as masterclasses and special talks.

The festival, which runs until Sept. 6, was first held in 1932. Alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, it is regarded as one of Europe's three major film festivals.