This year's Venice Film Festival will launch a prize for 3D films.

As the most notable move following the rescheduling of the Venice film festival, the organizing committee of the world's oldest film event has decided to present an award to the "most creative 3D film" among those screened between September 2008 and August 2009.

A three-person jury comprising Italian director Nadia Ranocchi, US film historian Dave Kehr and American film critic Scott Foundas will select the winner, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

After screening its big animated production "Up" at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival in May this year, Pixar will also unveil 3D versions of its two "Toy Story" instalments at this year's Venice Film Festival.

Venice has a record of admitting 3D films: the full stereoscopic version of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare before Christmas" was screened at the 64th festival, and the Japanese film "The Sky Crawlers", partly produced through the technique of computer graphics, was among nominees for the most coveted Golden Lion in 2008.

Heading the international jury this year is two-time Golden Lion winner Ang Lee, while other members include U.S. director Joe Dante and Indian writer-director Anurag Kashyap.

The 66th Venice film festival will be held this year from September 2nd until the12th.

(CRI August 4, 2009)