119 - 19th Venice International Film Festival, VENICE, August 24–September 7, 1958. Silver Lion (of Honor) awarded to the Honorable Egidio Ariosto.

19th Venice International Film Festival, VENICE, August 24–September 7, 1958. Silver Lion (of Honor) awarded to the Honorable Egidio Ariosto. The Lion of St. Mark, the event’s historical symbol, finely chiseled, on its original marble base with an engraved plaque. Complete with its original case. As Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism, the Hon. Egidio Ariosto will present the Golden Lion to Japanese director Hiroshi Inagaki, winner of the Festival for his film “The Rickshaw Man.” The heirloom up for auction was donated by the Biennale to the Undersecretary as a tribute to his dedication to the event’s success. The first of the prestigious film festivals, the Venice Film Festival was founded in 1932 as part of the 18th Venice Art Biennale by President G. Volpi di Misurata. Its aim was to present works that demonstrated the value of cinema as a means of expression in the artistic, cultural, educational, and scientific fields. The international grand prize for best film was established in 1947, but just two years later, in 1949, the iconic Golden Lion of Saint Mark was adopted, and other awards were gradually added.