Youssef Chahine
77-year-old Italian film director Ermanno Olmi received a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. The festival was dedicated to the late Egyptian director Youssef Chahine, who was notable for his contributions to post-war Arab cinema. The festival's shorts competition began 1 September 2008 with Natalie Portman's directorial debut, "Eve". Kseniya Rappoport will also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.