The 53rd annual Venice International Film Festival was held between 28 August to 7 September 1996.
Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski was the Jury President of the main competition. The Golden Lion winner was Michael Collins directed by Neil Jordan.
Jury
Main Competition
The following people comprised the 1996 jury: Roman Polanski, Polish filmmaker - Jury President Paul Auster , American writer and director Souleymane Cissé , Malian filmmaker Mrinal Sen , Indian filmmaker Callisto Cosulich , Italian film critic, author, journalist and screenwriter Anjelica Huston , American actress Miriam Mafai , Italian journalist, author and politician Antonio Skármeta , Chilean writer Hulya Ucansu
Official Sections
In Competition
Out of Competition
Sleepers by Barry Levinson (United States) - Opening film
Third Millenium Stories by Francesco Maselli (Italy) Shine by Scott Hicks (Australia) The Portrait of a Lady by Jane Campion (United Kingdom)
Venetian Nights
Bound by The Wachowskis (United States) The Fan by Tony Scott (United States) Independence Day by Roland Emmerich (United States) Bambola by Bigas Luna (Spain-Italy-France) Last Man Standing by Walter Hill (United States) Multiplicity by Harold Ramis (United States) Szamanka by Andrzej Zulawski (Poland) The Frighteners by Peter Jackson (Australia) True Blue by Ferdinand Fairfax (United Kingdom)
Window on Images
Zone Franche by Paul Vecchiali (France) The Age of Possibilities by Pascale Ferran (France) Chronicle of a Disappearance by Elia Suleiman (Israel, United States, Germany, France) Méfie-toi de l'eau qui dort by Jacques Deschamps (France) Hard Core Logo by Bruce McDonald (Canada) Metamorphosis of a Melody by Amos Gitai (Israel) De nieuwe moeder by Paula van der Oest (Netherlands) Escoriandoli by Flavia Mastrella, Antonio Rezza (Italy) Guy by Michael Lindsay-Hogg (United States) Polygraph by Robert Lepage (Canada) Love and Other Catastrophes by Emma-Kate Croghan (Australia) A True Story by Abolfazl Jalili (Iran)
Documentaries
The Games of Love by Frederick Wiseman (France) Sei minuti all'alba by Daniele Segre (Italy) And the Show Goes On by Mrinal Sen (United Kingdom, France, India) Yang Yin Genger in Chinese Cinema by Stanley Kwan (Hong Kong) Bophana: A Cambodian Tragedy by Rithy Panh (France, Cambodia) Die Frucht deines Leibes by Barbara Albert (Austria) A Trick of Light by Wim Wenders (Germany) Le convoi by Patrice Chagnard (France) La vita a volo D'Angelo by Roberta Torre (Italy) Marco Melani, ladro e frate di cinema by Enrico Ghezzi, Carmelo Marabello (Italy)
Overtaking Lane
Swingers by Doug Liman (United States) Kolya by Jan Svěrák (Czech Republic) The Dress by Alex van Warmerdam (Netherlands) Intimate Relations by Philip Goodhew (Canada) Fistful of Flies by Monica Pellizzari (Australia) Lea by Ivan Fíla (Czech Republic) Livers Ain't Cheap by James Merendino (United States) Swallowtail Butterfly by Shunji Iwai (Japan) Ni d'Ève, ni d'Adam by Jean-Paul Civeyrac (France)
Italian Cinema Week
Isotta by Maurizio Fiume (Italy) Albergo Roma by Ugo Chiti (Italy) We Free Kings by Sergio Citti (Italy) Acquario by Michele Sordillo (Italy) The Border by Franco Giraldi (Italy) My Generation by Wilma Labate (Italy) Voci nel tempo by Franco Piavoli (Italy)
Special Screenings
Fantoosh by Morag McKinnon (United Kingdom) Nitrato d'argento by Marco Ferreri (Italy) Go Now by Michael Winterbottom (United Kingdom) Festival by Pupi Avati (Italy) Grace of My Heart by Allison Anders (United States) Pole Pole by Massimo Martelli (Italy) How the Toys Saved Christmas by Enzo D'Alò (Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg) Forgotten Silver by Peter Jackson (Australia) The Gates of Heaven by Vittorio De Sica (Italy) Small Wonders by Allan Miller (United States) Loach in Nicaragua by Marlisa Trombetta (Italy) Long Fliv the King by Leo McCarey (United States) Flaming Fathers by Leo McCarey (United States)
Official Awards
Main Competition
Golden Lion: Michael Collins by Neil Jordan
Grand Special Jury Prize: Brigands by Otar Iosseliani
Golden Osella: Best Original Screenplay: Profundo carmesí by Paz Alicia Garciadiego Best Original Music: David Mansfield for Profundo carmesí Best Production Design: Profundo carmesí by Mónica Chirinos e Marisa Pecanins Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Liam Neeson for Michael Collins Volpi Cup for Best Supporting Actor: Chris Penn for The Funeral Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Victoire Thivisol for Ponette Honorable Mention: Jan Sverák for Kolya