Mel Gibson is an American film director.
The 68th annual Venice International Film Festival was held in Venice , Italy between 31 August and 10 September 2011 . Mel Colmcille Gerard Gibson ( born January 3 , 1956 ) is an American actor and filmmaker . Gibson produced , directed , and starred in the epic historical drama film Braveheart ( 1995 ) , for which he won the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Director , along with the Academy Award for Best Picture .