Picture walking through Venice: idyllic, enchanted, mysterious, romantic. Then picture this almost imaginary and fantastic Italian jewel dotted with innovative new artistic expressions in the fields of art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre.

It is during La Biennale di Venezia that the city transforms itself into an explosive new-art village, where international ideas and collaborations take flight on Italian grounds. If you are an art lover like me, I urge you to travel to Venice at least once in your lifetime to experience live this wonderful journey.

My sister and I had the opportunity to do so not so long ago during one of the many visits to my cousins in Venice. Never in my lifetime had I seen a city transform itself into a live interactive museum of design, cinematographic experiences, artistic encounters, architectural concoctions, dance and theatrical exhibitions where its visitors could freely engage in walking and immersive tours at their own pace and wishes.

As we proceeded through the small calli, or Venetian streets, we were surprised at once by human gondoliers wearing sixteenth-century Venetian masks, acting in typically Venetian accents on centuries-old gondolas. And as we turned the corner, we were taken by open air art shows whereby paintings of newly discovered international artists would curtain the facades of Venice's already colorful homes.

It is in this Venetian laboratory of innovations that the 64th Venice International Film Festival is taking place from August 29 to September 8.

The festival belongs to "La Biennale di Venezia" (labiennale.org) showcase of events. The Venice Biennale has been delivering avant-garde exhibitions in the city since 1895 and most recently joined in the divulgation of similar international projects.

The Film Festival will contain the following programs: Venezia 64 In-Competition, Venezia 64 - Out of Competition, Orizzonti (newly unveiled artists: their films and documentaries in 35mm and digital format), Corto Cortissimo (Shorts), Storia Segreta del Cinema Italiano 4 (special section with a different theme every year).

This year's "Storia Segreta del Cinema Italiano 4" focuses on Spaghetti Western Italian films which will highlight those films under this genre that truly reflect a "cinematographic" experience for the suspense, pedagogical and storytelling strategies used throughout. During the midnight shows of August 29 and 30 in fact, Sergio Leone's recently recovered Per un pugno di dollari will be screened.

Because of it's 75th anniversary, La Biennale di Venezia, presided over by Davide Croff, has instituted "La Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica" directed by Marco Muller and whose special look was designed by the Oscar-winner Dante Ferretti. Inspired by Federico Fellini's avant-garde genius and creativity, Dante Ferretti's vision was integrated and implemented by Graph.x- Lissoni Associates. The Golden Lion emblem of the city of Venice and of the International Film Festival was also the primary iconographic symbol of the design.

Stefania Sandrelli will host the awards' ceremony for this year's Festival on September 8. Quentin Tarantino will host a special evening in celebration of Spaghetti Western films. Bernardo Bertolucci will be honored with the 75th Golden Lion award for his cinematographic career.

The jury members for Venezia 64-In Competition films will be filmmakers previously engaged with the Venice Film Festival such as Catherine Breillat, Jane Campion, Emanuele Crialese, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Ferzan Ozpetek, and Paul Verhoeven. The jury will be presided over by Zhang Yimou and will award the Golden Lion to the best film in competition.