VENICE -- Filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow cast her vote for US presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Thursday as she presented her gut-wrenching Iraq war movie "The Hurt Locker" at the Venice film festival.

"I hope and pray" that US forces will be withdrawn "immediately" from Iraq, she said, adding: "And only one man is capable of doing that, and that's (US presidential hopeful) Mr. Barack Obama."

The comment came a day after compatriot Jonathan Demme said his film "Rachel Getting Married" reflected the multi-cultural "America that I love."

The film's wedding party includes a white bride (Rachel Dewitt) and black groom (Tunde Adebimpe) with a melting pot of guests including Asians and gays, an Indian menu and bridesmaids wearing saris.

"That's the America I love," said the Oscar-winning director of "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991), adding: "I saw that America recently last week at Barack Obama's induction" as the Democratic nominee for president.

"The Hurt Locker" and "Rachel Getting Married" are among 21 films vying for the prestigious Golden Lion to be awarded on Saturday.