Penelope Cruz was crowned Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival 2021

Accepting the accolade, she said: "Thank you, Pedro. This is 100 per cent yours.

"Thanks for once again trusting me, for inspiring me every day with your search for truth, outside and inside."

It was also a big night for Maggie Gyllenhaal as she secured the gong for Best Screenplay for her psychological drama film 'The Lost Daughter', while Jane Campion became the second woman to receive the Silver Lion for Best Director since the award was introduced in 1990.

The 67-year-old screen bagged the prize for her Netflix film 'The Power of the Dog' - her first feature film in 12 years - and said: "It's amazing to get an award from you people. You've made the bar very, very high for me in cinema, Bong, Chloé."

Elsewhere, Filippo Scotti was recognised for his role in 'The Hand of God' and was presented with the Best Young Actor award, John Arcilla was named Best Actor for his part in 'On the Job: Missing 8', and Audrey Diwan picked up the Golden Lion for her French abortion drama 'Happening'.

Diwan - who has become the sixth woman to ever receive the highly sought-after award - said: "I did this movie with anger. I did the movie with desire also. I did it with my belly, my guts, my heart, my head. I wanted Happening to be an experience."