Venice Film
Festival unveils LGBT film prize

Films that focus on LGBT-related issues or include a gay character will be recognized with a new award at this year's Venice Film Festival, the BBC reports. The Queer Lion, the younger and more fabulous cousin of the festival's main Golden Lion award, will be given to the best full-length feature film with a queer twist.

According to the BBC, competition director Daniel Casagrande said it has taken four years of tense negotiations to create the award. He expects between 10 and 12 films to be contenders for the award's debut.

"We aren't looking for the next Brokeback Mountain," he told the BBC. "We are just looking for films that accurately portray gay characters or themes."

All films shown at the festival, which runs from August 29 to September 8, will be eligible for the award. A small international jury will choose the winner, which will be awarded a gold plaque featuring the winged Venice Lion with the addition of rainbow feathers. (The Advocate)