Meanwhile, the Natalie Portman-starring Jackie – a study of Jackie Kennedy that has also received rave reviews – won Best Screenplay.
Emma Stone took Best Actress for her role in La La Land, one of the best-reviewed films from the festival, leading to early Oscar buzz.
The jury was overseen by Skyfall and Spectre director Sam Mandes, with notable absentees from the winners list including Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival and Terrence Malick’s Voyage of Time.
Lav Diaz’s Filipino drama The Woman Who Left scooped the highest prize given at the Venice Film Festival 2016, The Golden Lion, while Tom Ford’s second feature-length film, Nocturnal Animals, triumphed, taking the Grand Jury Prize.