The 69th Venice Film Festival kicked off in style on Wednesday night.

Hollywood star Kate Hudson sparkled in a spiderweb-inspired gown on the red carpet, accompanied by her fiance, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy.

Hudson's new film The Reluctant Fundamentalist opened the festival, a big-screen adaptation of Mohsin Hamid's acclaimed 2007 novel.

Liev Schreiber, who also stars in the movie, posed for the gathered press, joined by his actress partner, Naomi Watts.

Zac Efron, Selina Gomez and Shia LaBeouf are just a few of the celebrities expected to attend the festival.