Animated features are truly getting more and more respect at major film festivals. First it was INNOCENCE and SHREK 2 in competition at Cannes and now, for the first time in 30 years, an animated film will be in competition at the Venice International Film Festival. And who better to break the 30-year toon hiatus than Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki with his latest feature, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE.

Other animated films appearing at Venice out of competition include the world premiere of DreamWorks' SHARK TALE and the festival closing film, STEAMBOY from Otomo Katsuhiro of Japan.

On the visual effects front, Steven Spielberg's THE TERMINAL, Paramount's retro sci-fi flick, SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, JM Barrie biopic FINDING NEVERLAND and Spike Lee's SHE HATE ME will all screen out of competition at the event.

The fest takes place Sept. 1-11.