All You Need to Know About the 2026 Venice Film Festival

POLICY WIRE — Venice, Italy — Hollywood’s elite are converging on Venice, Italy, for the 83rd Venice Film Festival, starting Wednesday.

This prestigious event, second only to Cannes and the oldest in the world, often influences the Oscars race. It began in 1932 as a non-competitive event by La Biennale di Venezia, featuring films like “Grand Hotel” and “It Happened One Night”. By 1935, it became an annual affair.

The Golden Lion award, introduced in 1949, has been won by films such as “Rashômon” in 1951, “Belle de jour” in 1967, and “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005. This year’s festival runs from August 31 to September 12, with Danny Boyle’s “Ink” as the opening film.

George Clooney will receive a lifetime achievement award and is also a producer on “Furies”. Other stars attending include the Gallagher brothers, the Mara sisters, Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Pamela Anderson, Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, Louis Garrel, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Ellen Burstyn, who is also receiving a lifetime achievement award.

Anticipated films include Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine”, Robert Pattinson in “Primetime”, and Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem in “Bunker”. Documentaries like Alex Gibney’s “Musk” and Julia Loktev’s My Undesirable Friends: Part II — Exile are also featured.

Controversy surrounds Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s “DAU”, with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs questioning its inclusion. Festival director Alberto Barbera defended its selection, stating it denounces totalitarian regimes.

The festival takes place on the Lido, a barrier island, with the Hotel Excelsior as the only five-star hotel. Other luxury options include the Hotel Cipriani, Gritti Palace, St. Regis, and Aman Venice.

Maggie Gyllenhaal heads the main competition jury, which includes Kaouther Ben Hania, Daniel Blumberg, Xavier Giannoli, Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Johnnie To. Award winners will be announced on September 12.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)