Thu, August 23, 2007 (5:20pm EDT)
This year's Venice Film Festival (August 29 - September 8) is introducing a new award for directors. The prize is named after Takeshi Kitano's latest movie, "Kantoku Banzai!," whose English title is "Glory to the Filmmaker!" It has also been revealed that the first recipient of the Glory to the Filmmaker! Award is Kitano himself.

Kitano has made his mark at Venice multiple times, having won the Golden Lion for "HANA-BI" in 1997 and the Silver Lion for "Zatoichi" in 2003. This year will be his fifth trip to the festival.

A ceremony for the award will take place at the festival on the 30th at 4:30pm (local time).
Source: Sankei Sports | tokyograph.com