The 22nd annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 20 August to 3 September 1961.
Jury
Filippo Sacchi (Italy) (head of jury) Lev Arnshtam (Soviet Union) Giulio Cesare Castello (Italy) Jean de Baroncelli (France) John Hubley (USA) Gian Gaspare Napolitano (Italy) Leopoldo Torre Nilsson (Argentina)
Films in competition
Awards
Golden Lion: Last Year at Marienbad (Alain Resnais) Special Jury Prize: Peace to Him Who Enters (Aleksandr Alov) Volpi Cup: Best Actor - Toshiro Mifune - (Yojimbo) Best Actress - Suzanne Flon - (Tu ne tueras point) Best First Work Banditi a Orgosolo (Vittorio De Seta) New Cinema Award Banditi a Orgosolo (Vittorio De Seta) San Giorgio Prize Banditi a Orgosolo (Vittorio De Seta) FIPRESCI Prize The Brigand (Renato Castellani) OCIC Award Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi) Pasinetti Award Peace to Him Who Enters (Aleksandr Alov) Parallel Sections - Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi) Italian Cinema Clubs Award Banditi a Orgosolo (Vittorio De Seta) Award of the City of Imola Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi) Award of the City of Venice Léon Morin, Priest (Jean-Pierre Melville)