Sci-ft film "Gravity", starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, is to open the Venice Film Festival in August. The 3D movie, directed by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, sees the pair as astronauts on an ill-fated mission. The gala on the Venice Lido runs until from 28 August to 7 September.

"Last Tango in Paris" director Bernardo Bertolucci - whose debut film, "The Grim Reaper", showed at the festival in 1962 - will lead the jury for this year's Golden Lion for best film.

The rest of the festival line-up is yet to be announced, but films being tipped to be screened include "Under the Skin”, starring Scarlett Johansson as an alien and "Twelve Years a Slave", the latest film from British director Steve McQueen starring Brad Pitt, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.