Mexican director Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, a dark fairy tale in which a mute cleaning lady falls in love with an aquatic creature, won the Golden Lion award for best film at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

The runner-up grand jury prize went to family tragedy Foxtrot by Israel's Samuel Maoz, while France's Xavier Legrand was picked as best director for his divorce drama Jusqu'a la Garde (Custody).

Charlotte Rampling received the best actress award for her performance in Italian film Hannah, while Palestinian Kamel El Basha took the best actor prize for his role in The Insult.

The award ceremony brings down the curtain on a 10-day movie marathon in which 21 international films featuring top Hollywood talent and auteur directors were in competition for the coveted top prize.
• TIFF 2017 kicks off amid some big changes </s> Guillermo del Toro won the Venice Film Festival's top Golden Lion prize on Saturday for his monster thriller "The Shape of Water."

The Mexican director said he hoped his victory would inspire young directors to "have faith in whatever you have faith in."

"In my case, it's monsters," said the 52-year-old director, whose films include "Hellboy" and "Pan's Labyrinth."

The victory gives "The Shape of Water" a boost heading in to Hollywood's awards season.

The film is about a mute young woman, played by Sally Hawkins, who falls for a mysterious sea creature being held at a high-security lab. Many viewers in Venice fell for the movie's audacious mix of genres: It's a monster movie, a Cold War thriller and even, at times, a musical.

A grateful del Toro told an audience at the festival's closing ceremony: "I believe in life. I believe in love and I believe in cinema."

The world's oldest film festival wrapped up Saturday after 11 days that brought stars including George Clooney, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lawrence to the canal-crossed Italian city.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose del Toro's film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival — an edition where the world's social divisions and the spectre of climate change resonated through many of the entries.

"The Shape of Water" beat contenders including Clooney's "Suburbicon" and Alexander Payne's "Downsizing."

The runner-up Grand Jury Prize went to Israeli director Samuel Maoz's "Foxtrot," a compelling and surprising study of grief.

France's Xavier Legrand was named best director for his first full-length film "Custody," which also won the festival's first-feature prize.

Palestinian stage veteran Kamel El Basha was named best actor for Lebanese director Ziad Doueiri's drama "The Insult." Britain's Charlotte Rampling took the best actress prize for Andrea Pallaoro's film "Hannah."

Other winners included Warwick Thornton's Australian Western "Sweet Country," which won a Special Jury Prize, and Martin McDonagh's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which took the trophy for best screenplay.

U.S. actor Charlie Plummer, 18, was named best young performer for portraying a lonely boy who befriends a tired old racehorse in Andrew Haigh's "Lean on Pete." </s> Guillermo del Toro’s monster thriller The Shape of Water has won the Venice Film Festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose the film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival – an edition where the world’s social divisions and the spectre of climate change resonated through many of the entries.

The Shape of Water beat contenders including George Clooney’s Suburbicon and Alexander Payne’s Downsizing. In a four-star review, the Guardian’s Xan Brooks described it as “stylish and charming; red meat for the senses with some sugar on top”.

The runner-up Grand Jury Prize on Saturday went to Israeli director Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot.

Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha and British actress Charlotte Rampling took the festival’s acting trophies.

The world’s oldest film festival wrapped up on Saturday after 11 days that brought stars including Clooney, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lawrence to the canal-crossed Italian city. </s> Guillermo del Toro is awarded the Golden Lion for best film for 'The Shape Of Water' during the award ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Ettore Ferrari/ANSA via AP)

Kamel El Basha holds aloft the Volpi Cup for best actor for his role in 'The Insult' during the award ceremony at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Xavier Legrand wipes a tear after being awarded the Silver Lion for best director for 'Jusqu' a la garde' or 'Custody' during the award ceremony at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Actress Charlotte Rampling holds the Volpi Cup for best actress for her role in 'Hannah' during the award ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Guillermo del Toro holds the Golden Lion for best film for 'The Shape Of Water' during the award ceremony at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Actress Charlotte Rampling holds the Volpi Cup for best actress for her role in 'Hannah' at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Guillermo del Toro is greeted by members of the jury after being awarded the Golden Lion for best film for 'The Shape Of Water' during the award ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Guillermo del Toro won the Venice Film Festival's top Golden Lion prize on Saturday for his monster thriller "The Shape of Water."

The Mexican director said he hoped his victory would inspire young directors to "have faith in whatever you have faith in."

"In my case, it's monsters," said the 52-year-old director, whose films include "Hellboy" and "Pan's Labyrinth."

The victory gives "The Shape of Water" a boost heading in to Hollywood's awards season.

The film is about a mute young woman, played by Sally Hawkins, who falls for a mysterious sea creature being held at a high-security lab. Many viewers in Venice fell for the movie's audacious mix of genres: It's a monster movie, a Cold War thriller and even, at times, a musical.

A grateful del Toro told an audience at the festival's closing ceremony: "I believe in life. I believe in love and I believe in cinema."

The world's oldest film festival wrapped up Saturday after 11 days that brought stars including George Clooney, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lawrence to the canal-crossed Italian city.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose del Toro's film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival — an edition where the world's social divisions and the specter of climate change resonated through many of the entries.

"The Shape of Water" beat contenders including Clooney's "Suburbicon" and Alexander Payne's "Downsizing."

The runner-up Grand Jury Prize went to Israeli director Samuel Maoz's "Foxtrot," a compelling and surprising study of grief.

France's Xavier Legrand was named best director for his first full-length film "Custody," which also won the festival's first-feature prize.

Palestinian stage veteran Kamel El Basha was named best actor for Lebanese director Ziad Doueiri's drama "The Insult." Britain's Charlotte Rampling took the best actress prize for Andrea Pallaoro's film "Hannah."

Other winners included Warwick Thornton's Australian Western "Sweet Country," which won a Special Jury Prize, and Martin McDonagh's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which took the trophy for best screenplay.

U.S. actor Charlie Plummer, 18, was named best young performer for portraying a lonely boy who befriends a tired old racehorse in Andrew Haigh's "Lean on Pete." </s> NEW YORK (AP) — Guillermo del Toro's lavish monster romance "The Shape of Water" has landed a leading 13 nominations and Greta Gerwig became just the fifth woman nominated for best director by the Academy Awards.

"Mudbound" cinematographer Rachel Morrison made history as the first woman ever nominated in the category in nominations announced Tuesday.

The film academy voted in nine films as best picture contenders: "The Shape of Water," ''Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," ''Lady Bird," ''Get Out," ''The Post," ''Dunkirk," ''Call Me By Your Name" and "Phantom Thread."

"The Shape of Water" came just shy of tying the record of 14 nominations shared by "All About Eve," ''Titanic" and "La La Land." </s> Guillermo del Toro holds the Golden Lion for best film for 'The Shape Of Water' during the award ceremony at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Director Guillermo del Toro poses for photographers during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Director Guillermo Del Toro poses for photographers during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Director Guillermo Del Toro poses for photographers during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Director Guillermo Del Toro signs autographs during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Director Guillermo Del Toro poses for photographers during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Director Guillermo Del Toro signs autographs during the red carpet for the closing ceremony at the 74th annual Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Guillermo del Toro is awarded the Golden Lion for best film for 'The Shape Of Water' during the award ceremony at the 74th Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

The Latest on the Venice Film Festival (all times local):

Director Guillermo del Toro says his Venice Film Festival victory is a vindication of monster movies, science-fiction movies and other sometimes-derided cinema genres.

Del Toro won the festival's Golden Lion top prize on Saturday for his monster movie "The Shape of Water" — a rare victory at a top cinema festival for a fantasy film. The Mexican director says it's "a beautiful encouragement, a beautiful act of love, and I think it is something very necessary."

The 52-year-old director says it has been his "life's mission" to show that genre films can be intelligent, artistic and beautiful. His previous films include "Hellboy" and "Pan's Labyrinth."

Venice Film Festival winner Guillermo del Toro says he hopes his victory will inspire young directors to "have faith in whatever you have faith in — in my case, it's monsters."

The Mexican director won the festival's Golden Lion for "The Shape of Water," a fantastical story about a mute young woman, played by Sally Hawkins, who falls for a mysterious sea creature being held at a high-security lab.

Many viewers in Venice fell for the movie's audacious mix of genres: It's a monster movie, a Cold War thriller and even, at times, a musical.

A grateful del Toro told an audience at the festival's closing ceremony Saturday that "I believe in life. I believe in love and I believe in cinema."

Guillermo del Toro's monster thriller 'The Shape of Water' has won the Venice Film Festival's top prize, the Golden Lion.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose the film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival — an edition where the world's social divisions and the specter of climate change resonated through many of the entries.

The runner-up Grand Jury Prize on Saturday went to Israeli director Samuel Maoz' "Foxtrot."

Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha and British actress Charlotte Rampling took the festival's acting trophies.

The world's oldest film festival wrapped up Saturday after 11 days that brought stars including Clooney, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lawrence to the canal-crossed Italian city. </s> VENICE, Italy — Guillermo del Toro’s monster thriller “The Shape of Water” has won the Venice Film Festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose the film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival — an edition where the world’s social divisions and the spectre of climate change resonated through many of the entries.

The runner-up Grand Jury Prize on Saturday went to Israeli director Samuel Maoz’ “Foxtrot.”

Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha and British actress Charlotte Rampling took the festival’s acting trophies.

The world’s oldest film festival wrapped up Saturday after 11 days that brought stars including Clooney, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lawrence to the canal-crossed Italian city.

Del Toro says he hopes his victory will inspire young directors to “have faith in whatever you have faith in — in my case, it’s monsters.”

“The Shape of Water” is a fantastical story about a mute young woman, played by Sally Hawkins, who falls for a mysterious sea creature being held at a high-security lab.

Many viewers in Venice fell for the movie’s audacious mix of genres: It’s a monster movie, a Cold War thriller and even, at times, a musical.

A grateful del Toro told an audience at the festival’s closing ceremony Saturday that “I believe in life. I believe in love and I believe in cinema.” </s> New Delhi: The 90th Academy Awards have come to an end, where 'Shape of Water' was awarded the best picture Oscar.

In what had been considered the closest Oscar race in many years, the Guillermo del Toro directorial defeated strong competition from 'Get Out,' 'Lady Bird' and 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.'

"I want to dedicate this, to every young filmmaker, the youth that is showing us how things are done. Really, they are. In every country in the world," the 53-year-old helmer said.

The cold war-set fantasy thriller stars Sally Hawkins as a mute cleaning woman who discovers a bizarre aquatic-human hybrid in a tank at a secret government lab, and helps it escape.

The flick led to the Mexican filmmaker's first Oscar nod for best picture - though Del Toro was also nominated in 2007 for best original screenplay and best foreign language film for 'Pan's Labyrinth.'

Having led the nominations list with 13, 'The Shape of Water' won four Oscars, including best original score, director and best original design.

The film managed to bag an Oscar despite it being the subject of a plagiarism controversy in recent weeks,.

After the nominations were announced, the family of late playwright Paul Zindel launched legal action over "glaring similarities" between 'The Shape of Water' and Zindel's 1969 play 'Let Me Hear You Whisper.' </s> Guillermo del Toro with the Golden Lion for Best Film. Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water was awarded the Golden Lion at the 74th Venice Film Festival on Saturday, a triumphant end to a week’s worth of rave reviews and Oscar buzz. The film, a romantic monster movie starring Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon, premiered on the Lido on August 31, and was quickly hailed by many as the festival’s — and del Toro’s (at least since Pan’s Labyrinth) — best movie. It’s also the first English-language movie to win Venice’s top prize since Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere in 2010. Placing second, the Grand Jury Prize recipient was the Israeli military drama Foxtrot, which similarly wowed critics upon its premiere at Telluride last week.

Other notable winners include Lean on Pete breakout Charlie Plummer for best young performer; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri writer-director Martin McDonagh for best screenplay — a significant boost since he’s emerged as a serious Oscar contender for the movie alongside stars Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell; and the always-excellent Charlotte Rampling, of the Italian drama Hannah, for Best Actress. See the complete list below.

VENICE 74

Golden Lion

The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro

Grand Jury Prize

Foxtrot, directed by Samuel Maoz

Silver Lion — Best Director

Xavier Legrand, Jusqu’à la Garde

Volpi Cup — Best Actress

Charlotte Rampling, Hannah

Volpi Cup — Best Actor

Kamel El Basha, The Insult

Best Screenplay

Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Special Jury Prize

Sweet Country, directed by Warwick Thornton

Marcello Mastroianni Award for for Best New Young Actor or Actress

Charlie Plummer, Lean on Pete

VENICE HORIZONS

Best Film

Nico, 1988, directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli

Best Director

Vahid Jalilvand, No Date, No Signature

Special Jury Prize

Caniba, directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel

Best Actress

Lyna Khoudri, Les Bienheureux

Best Actor

Navid Mohammadzadeh, No Date, No Signature

Best Screenplay

Los Versos Del Olvido, directed by Alireza Khatami

Best Short Film

Gros Chagrin, directed by Céline Devaux

Lion of the Future — “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film

Jusqu’à la Garde, directed by Xavier Legrand

VENICE CLASSICS

Best Restoration

Idi I Smotri, directed by Elem Klimov

Best Documentary on Cinema

The Prince and the Dybbuk, directed by Elwira Niewiera and Piotr Rosolowski

VENICE VIRTUAL REALITY

Best VR

Arden’s Wake (Expanded), directed by Eugene YK Chung

Best VR Experience

La Camera Insabbiata, directed by Laurie Anderson and Hsin-Chien Huang

Best VR Story

Bloodless, directed by Gina Kim
Film director Guillermo del Toro wins for The Shape of Water.