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George Clooney, whose film Good Night, and Good Luck won two awards at the Venice Film Festival, proved a popular figure with the Italian crowds. Repaying the compliment he called Italy "the best country in the world".

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Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee received the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, from Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki, whose films include the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, received a lifetime achievement award at the festival.

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Italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno was the only Italian victory at the festival. "The actresses that were in competition with me are big, big stars, like Susan Sarandon and Isabelle Huppert... so I really couldn't believe it."

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Controversial US director Abel Ferrara won the Special Jury prize for Mary, about an actress who becomes obsessed with Mary Magdalene. The independent film-maker is best-known for the 1992 film Bad Lieutenant starring Harvey Kietel.

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Italian actress Stefania Sandrelli received a lifetime achievement award from her daughter, actress Amanda Sandrelli. Stefania's career has spanned more than 44 years and includes work with directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci and Manoel de Oliveira

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"Without George and Grant, this film really could not have been made," said Good Night, and Good Luck star David Strathairn, who won best actor for his interpretation of US broadcaster Edward R Murrow.

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Philippe Garrel won the Silver Lion award for best direction for his film Les Amants Reguliers. "I'm an independent French director and I'm proud that the Italians have recognised me," he said.

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"Venice brings me luck," said French actress Isabelle Huppert, who was awarded a special Lion for her role in Patrice Chereau's Gabrielle. "There is no great role without a great director, so from the bottom of my heart I thank Patrice."