The 74th Venice Film Festival awards

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."