Terrence Malick, Brian De Palma bring films to Venice

Terrence Malick's To The Wonder and Brian De Palma's Passion are to make their world premieres at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in the competition lineup.

Festival director Alberto Barbera announced on Thursdaythe 17 films that will screen in competition for the Golden Lion, the festivals top prize.

Malicks romantic drama To the Wonder stars Ben Affleck, Rachel Weisz and Canadian Rachel McAdams. It is a special presentation at theToronto International Film Festival, which begins in the closing days of the Venice festival.

McAdams is also in DePalmas Passion, a sexual thriller that is his first feature since Redacted, which won the award for best direction in Venice in 2007.

A total of 60 films will be shown in Venice, most of them world premieres. Barbera has trimmed the competition lineup, though an 18th film may be added later as a surprise entry.

Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham are likely to appear on the red carpet in support of At Any Price, a film by American Ramin Bahrani that examines the world of modern agriculture. Fellow American Harmony Korine will show comedy-romance Spring Breakers, starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens.

Three Italian directors are featured in competition:

• Marco Bellocchio, Bella Addormentata (Sleeping Beauty).
• Daniele Cipri,E stato il figlio (It was the Son).
• Francesca Comencini, Un giorno special, (A Special Day).

There are also films from France, the Philippines and South Korea.

Two documentaries centering on music stars are screening out of competitionSpike Lees Bad 25, about Michael Jackson and Jonathan Demmes Enzo Avitabile Music Life, aboutthe Italian singer and saxophonist.

Robert Redfords The Company You Keep, also a TIFF gala, will screen out of competition. It stars Shia LaBeouf and Julie Christie.

Mira Nairs The Reluctant Fundamentalist waspreviously announcedas the opening night film at the festival.

The Venice Film Festival runs Aug. 29 to Sept. 8.