Madonna, Clooney films set for Venice fest

VENICE, Italy, July 29 (UPI) -- Features directed by Madonna, Roman Polanski, George Clooney and Stephen Soderbergh are to screen at the Venice Film Festival, organizers said.

Three Italian films -- Cristina Comencini's "Quando la notte [When the Night], starring Claudia Pandolfi and Filippo Timi; "Terra Ferma" by Emanuele Crialese and starring Donatella Finocchiaro and Beppe Fiorello; and "L'ultimo terrestre, [The Last Earthling] by Gian Alfonso Pacinotti -- are also part of the lineup for the 68th edition of the film festival, which is to run from Aug. 31 through Sept. 10, ANSA reported Thursday.

Clooney's political drama "The Ides of March" has been selected as the festival's opening night film. The Oscar-winning actor has a home in Italy and spends much of his time there when not working.

Madonna's royal romance "W.E.," Polanski's screen adaptation of Yasmina Reza's play "God of Carnage" and Soderbergh's thriller "Contagion" are also to be shown during the festival.