Venice Film Festival 2026

Name: Venice Film Festival 2026
Start: 2026-09-02
End: 2026-09-12
Location: Venice

The 83rd Venice Film Festival, recognized as the world's oldest cinema event, takes place from September 2 to September 12, 2026, on the Venice Lido, Italy. This edition features 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award and is presided over by jury chair Maggie Gyllenhaal. The festival opens with the premiere of Danny Boyle's drama 'Ink' and serves as a major launchpad for the international awards season.

Date: Sep 2-12, 2026
Location: Venice

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Event summary

Highlights

Opening with Danny Boyle's film 'Ink' starring Guy Pearce
Main competition jury chaired by Maggie Gyllenhaal
Luca Guadagnino receiving the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award
World premiere of the four-hour Elon Musk documentary 'Musk'

Organized by La Biennale di Venezia, the festival is primarily held at the Venice Lido, a barrier island accessible from the main city by boat. The 2026 program includes highly anticipated works such as Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine', Werner Herzog's 'Bucking Fastard', and the documentary 'Musk' by Alex Gibney. The event concludes with the screening of Giovanni Veronesi's costume drama 'Dio ride' (God Laughs) and the announcement of the official award winners.

In addition to the main competition, several prestigious honors are presented during this edition. Italian director Luca Guadagnino receives the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award, while George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn are recognized with Lifetime Achievement awards. The festival also highlights musical documentaries, including a film documenting the 2025 Oasis reunion tour featuring Liam and Noel Gallagher.

The 2026 festival addresses contemporary cinema and geopolitical topics, featuring Palestinian films and discussions regarding the inclusion of Ilya Khrzhanovsky's 'DAU'. Despite rising production costs affecting some Hollywood studio attendance, the red carpet remains a focal point for international stars including Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz, and Javier Bardem.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.