83rd Venice International Film Festival 2026

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival, organised by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera, returns to the Lido di Venezia for its annual celebration of international cinema. As the world's oldest film festival, it showcases cinema in all its forms—as art, entertainment, and industry—in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. Attendees can expect a packed programme of screenings, including a section devoted to restored classic films, alongside industry events like the Venice Gap-Financing Market and the Final Cut in Venice workshop.

The festival will honour two legendary figures with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement: American actor, director, and producer George Clooney, and acclaimed actress Ellen Burstyn. The opening and closing nights will be hosted by Greta Scarano and Nicolas Maupas. Screenings take place in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi, with the pre-opening film being Tinto Brass's restored classic "Deadly Sweet" (Col cuore in gola, 1967).

Beyond the screenings, the festival transforms the Lido into a vibrant hub of events, parties, and meetings with filmmakers and actors. With its prestigious juries—including Valérie Donzelli chairing Orizzonti and Carolina Cavalli chairing the Venice Award for a Debut Film—the festival remains a key launchpad for award-season contenders and a must-attend for cinephiles.