Alberto Barbera will once again lead the Venice Film Festival this year. The world’s oldest film festival is preparing to celebrate the best of international cinema, offering an extraordinary variety of works – from highly anticipated world premieres to auteur films, all the way to emerging talents who will shape the future of the big screen. Screenings, special events, and encounters with leading figures of the film industry will make Venice the beating heart of contemporary cinema, in a unique setting that blends art, glamour, and culture.

The Festival is divided into six official sections (Competition, Out of Competition, Orizzonti, Venice Spotlight, Venice Classics, and Venice Immersive) and two indipendent parallel sections: the International Critics’ Week and the Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori). Films in the Competition (Venice 82), all presented as world premieres, compete for the coveted Golden Lion for Best Film, along with other prestigious awards presented by the international jury, including Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize, Silver Lion – Best Director Award, Coppa Volpi for Best Actress, Coppa Volpi for Best Actor, Special Jury Prize, Award for Best Screenplay, Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Emerging Actor or Actress. Debut feature films in competitive sections, as well as the Orizzonti, Venice Classics-Documentaries, and Venice Immersive categories, are recognized with specific awards presented by dedicated juries.

In 2025, the Golden Lion was awarded to Jim Jarmush for his film Mother Father Sister Brother.

While the first rumors about the films in the lineup continue to circulate, Alberto Barbera has added new pieces to the puzzle of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The opening film will be INK, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce, and Claire Foy. The Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement will be awarded to George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn, while Valérie Donzelli and Carolina Cavalli will chair the Orizzonti Jury and the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film Jury, respectively. The selections for Venezia Classici, Orizzonti Short Films, and Venice Immersive have also been announced. The opening and closing ceremonies will be hosted by Greta Scarano (Suburra, Without Mercy) and Nicolas Maupas (Mare Fuori).

– Films, interviews, events, awards: all you want to know about the previous Venice Film Festival is on our dedicated website.

Featured image: © Jacopo Salvi – La Biennale di Venezia, Foto ASAC – Emanuela Fanelli and Alberto Barbera, Mostra del Cinema 2025