The 68th annual Venice Film Festival has commenced in Venice, Italy from Aug. 31, 2011 with the American film, The Ides of March, directed by George Clooney.

For the current edition, a total of 66 films will make their world premiere including Andrea Arnold's Wuthering Heights, Roman Olanski's Carnage and Philippe Garrel's A Burning Hot Summer.

Some other films out of competition include Al Pacino's Wilde Salome, Madonna's W.E and Steven Soderbergh's Contagion. The jury will be headed by American director, Darren Aronofsky who is a two-time Golden Lion winner. Also, earlier this year, the director was Oscar-nominated for Black Swan.

A statement by the organizers described Aronofsky as a key figure of contemporary cinema.

Stealing the show during the opening ceremony of the event were stars and celebs like Cindy Crawford, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei and Diane Kruger.

Check out the red carpet beauties, celebrity arrivals and other opening night images during the 68th Venice Film Festival in the slideshow given:

Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Model Cindy Crawford poses for photographers as she arrives for the opening ceremony of the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. The model was dressed in a dazzling red gown with asymmetrical neck-line and paired it with diamond jeweleries and r5ed peep-toe stilettos. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Actress Evan Rachel Wood arrives on the "The Ides of March" red carpet at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Italian actress Vittoria Puccini waves from the red carpet upon arrival for the opening ceremony of the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Actress Marisa Tomei poses for photographers as she arrives on the "The Ides of March" red carpet at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Actress Marisa Tomei poses during a photocall for the film "The Ides of March" at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Model Cindy Crawford signs autographs on the red carpet for "The Ides of March" at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
U.S. director George Clooney (L) smiles next to screenwriter and producer Grant Heslov (C) as they arrive to a news conference for their film "The Ides of March" at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Model Cindy Crawford (L) and her husband Rande Gerber (C) arrive with U.S. actor George Clooney (not pictured) by speedboat in Venice August 30, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Italian actress Vittoria Puccini poses for photographers in Venice August 30, 2011. The 68th Venice Film Festival will take place from August 31 to September 10, 2011. Reuters.
Celebs Spotted at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
U.S. pop star Madonna (C), director of movie "W.E", arrives at the Venice airport during the 68th Venice Film Festival August 31, 2011. Reuters.