The Golden Lion (Italian: Leone d'oro) is the highest prize awarded to a film at the Venice Film Festival. Introduced in 1949, it is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious and distinguished awards in the film industry. The award was initially known as the Golden Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of the ancient Republic of Venice, and was permanently named the Golden Lion in 1954. In 1970, an honorary Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement was also established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to cinema.