FACTBOX - 75 years of Venice Film Festival

REUTERS - The Venice film festival will celebrate its 75th birthday this year with a star-packed line up and top directors including Kenneth Branagh, Brian De Palma, Ken Loach, Peter Greenaway and Ang Lee vying for its top prize.

U.S. and British films dominate this year's festival, which is the world's oldest movie contest.

Here are some key moments:

* BEGINNINGS:

-- The first "Esposizione d'Arte Cinematografica" came into being in 1932. The very first film to be shown was Rouben Mamoulian's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", screened in August 1932.

-- As there were no official awards, an audience poll was taken -- best director was Soviet Nikolai Ekk for "Putyovka v Zhizn", while the best film was Rene Clair's "A nous la liberte".

-- The second festival, held in August 1934, included the first competition. Nineteen countries took part with over 300 accredited journalists. The "Coppa Mussolini" was introduced for best foreign film and best Italian film.

-- In 1936 an international jury was nominated for the first time and in 1937 the new Palazzo del Cinema was inaugurated. With the exception of the years 1940 to 1948, it has hosted the Festival ever since.