Golden Lion: History and Key Facts

The Golden Lion (Italian: Leone d'oro) is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee, as the successor to the earlier Gran Premio Internazionale di Venezia (Grand International Prize of Venice), awarded in 1947 and 1948. The prize was introduced as the Golden Golden Lion of Saint Mark, which was one of the best known symbols of the ancient Republic of Venice. In 1954, the prize was permanently named the Golden Lion.

The Golden Lion is widely regarded as one of the film industry's most prestigious and distinguished prizes. In 1971, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement was introduced, an honorary prize for people who have made an important contribution to cinema.

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