Celebrities, Documentaries, and Award Contenders Shine at Venice Film Festival

POLICY WIRE — Venice, Italy — The 83rd Venice Film Festival is set to begin, marking the start of the fall film festival season with a star-studded lineup. Noel and Liam Gallagher, Robert Pattinson,...

Editorial Desk

August 30, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Venice, Italy — The 83rd Venice Film Festival is set to begin, marking the start of the fall film festival season with a star-studded lineup.

Noel and Liam Gallagher, Robert Pattinson, Rooney Mara, George Clooney, and Penélope Cruz are among the celebrities expected to attend. Several films may earn Oscar nominations.

This year’s festival features a diverse array of films, including Alex Gibney’s documentary on Elon Musk and Julia Loktev’s My Undesirable Friends: Part II — Exile.

The conflict in Gaza is also highlighted in the documentary “NAZA,” directed by the filmmakers behind “No Other Land.”

Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine” and Florian Zeller’s “Bunker” are among the films generating Oscar buzz.

The festival also showcases films by Hirokazu Kore-eda and Lee Chang-dong, exploring themes of aspiration and freedom.

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Despite the presence of Hollywood films, the festival appears more subdued compared to previous years.

The representation of women directors remains a topic of discussion, with only one female director in the main competition.

Venice Days, an independent sidebar, features a majority of films by women, including shorts by Mona Fastvold and Claire Denis.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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