Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere" Wins Prize at Venice

Last Updated 4:49 p.m. ET

Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere," a story about an actor dealing with the emptiness of his life thanks to his child, won the top Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival Saturday.

Director Quentin Tarantino headed the jury which unanimously chose Coppola's film as the best movie at the 11-day annual festival.

The buzz in the final days of the festival had pegged "Somewhere" as a sure winner, and the jury appeared to have had no doubts, either.

"This film enchanted us from its first screening," Tarantino said. "It has the artistry we were looking for in a Golden Lion" winner, he told the closing ceremony.

Coppola has described the film, which made its world premiere at Venice, as a "portrait of today's L.A."

"Somewhere" is the fourth feature by Coppola, who is also one of the few female directors ever to be nominated for an Academy Award (for "Lost in Translation").

In "Somewhere," Stephen Dorff plays a Hollywood star whose somewhat empty life is enriched by the arrival of his daughter, played by Elle Fanning. The film takes place nearly entirely in hotels, mostly the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

The film also stars Michelle Monaghan and Benicio Del Toro.

Coppola, 39, herself grew up in the world of film thanks to her father, director Francis Ford Coppola. When presenting the film, Coppola reminisced that she and her family spent a lot of time growing up in hotels where her father was out on location while filming.

As a child she stayed at the Marmont with her father. When the film was screened at Venice, early in the festival, Coppola told reporters her father "loved" it.

"Thanks to my dad for teaching me," Coppola said, accepting the award.

Tarantino paused for a moment and seemed to fight back tears when he was about to announce that Coppola had won the Golden Lion. The two, who dated years ago, warmly hugged each other.

When asked later at a news conference if it was a difficult situation to give the prize to a friend, Tarantino replied that he didn't "let anything like that affect me."

"There was no me steering any directions. Sofia doesn't know any of these other people on the jury and her prize was unanimous," Tarantino said.

The film is being distributed in the U.S. by Focus Features, with a release dates scheduled for December.

Other awards included the Silver Lion for best director, which went to Alex de la Iglesia for his "Balada triste de Trompeta" ("A Sad Trumpet Ballad"). The Spanish director also won the best screenplay award for the film.

A Special Jury Prize was awarded to director Jerzy Skolimowski for "Essential Killing."

"Essential Killing" follows a man called Mohammed, captured by the U.S. military after he blows up three U.S. soldiers, after thinking they were going to kill him. He is then transported to a secret detention center, but on the way manages to escape and finds himself on a journey of survival.

"I'm not interested in politics, so whatever is in the beginning is just the background for the story, how this whole thing could have happened, said Skolimowski earlier his week. "But then what really interests me is the moment when he escapes and is alone against everybody. You know, it's one against all."

Actor Vincent Gallo, who plays Mohammed, received the top actor award.

Best actress honors were awarded to Ariana Lebed, a Greek actress who discovers herself through her friendships, in "Attenberg," a film by Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari.

This year's Venice Film Festival marked its 67th edition and saw 24 films in competition.