VENICE, Italy - US director Darren Aronofsky raises the curtain at the Venice film festival Wednesday with his psychological thriller "Black Swan."

Aronofsky, who won top honours here in 2008 with "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke, turns his sights on the cutthroat New York ballet world in the new contender for the prestigious Golden Lion.

A total of 24 films will be in competition this year, with the late addition of "Essential Killing" by Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski, about a member of the Taliban captured by Americans and transferred to Europe for interrogation.

A "surprise" contender is to be announced on Sunday.

Conspicuous by his absence Wednesday is prominent Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has been unable to travel to Venice for the screening of his short film "The Accordion".

Authorities have refused to return Panahi's passport, revoked nine months ago. He was jailed for three months after being arrested in March while shooting a film about the aftermath of Iran's disputed June 2009 polls.

Panahi's "The Circle" criticising the treatment of women in Iran won the Golden Lion here in 2000.

This year Venice will screen 79 full-length world premieres from 34 countries including a work from the Dominican Republic for the first time, about its neighbour Haiti.

Quentin Tarantino heads the jury, which will also include fellow directors Arnaud Desplechin of France, Guillermo Arriaga of Mexico and Italian Gabriele Salvatores.

They will choose winners for the Golden Lion for best film, Volpi Cups for best actor and actress, and a special jury prize, among other awards.

It will be the 67th edition of the Mostra, which began in 1932 in the lagoon city and now has a budget of ?12 million ($15.7 million), including seven million from the Italian government.