From August 27 to September 6, the 82nd Venice International Film Festival welcomed the very best of world cinema. Five Italian films competed for the coveted Golden Lion: La grazia by Paolo Sorrentino (opening film), Elisa by Leonardo Di Costanzo, Duse by Pietro Marcello, Un film fatto per bene by Franco Maresco, and Sotto le nuvole by Gianfranco Rosi. The festival closed with Chien 51, a dystopian sci-fi by Cédric Jimenez, starring Louis Garrel and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi.
The event took place at the iconic Lido di Venezia, under the artistic direction of Alberto Barbera and the presidency of the Venice Biennale led by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. The curtain rose with La grazia, the latest film by Oscar-winner Paolo Sorrentino.
Two Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement were awarded to legendary figures of cinema: Kim Novak and Werner Herzog. The president of the main competition jury was acclaimed American director Alexander Payne.
In his official remarks, Buttafuoco emphasized the identity and mission of the festival: “This is a showcase, not a festival,” he said, highlighting the Biennale’s commitment to creating a cultural beacon. “Through the structure of Biennale Cinema,” he added, “we’ve chosen a clear path, with a single hope: that the sky might become absolutely bluer.”
He also underlined the importance of the festival for younger generations. “We’ve seen a steady increase in young audiences, with over 2,300 university students already accredited—an engaged and growing community that shows extraordinary affection for this cultural institution,” Buttafuoco noted. “They’re the ones rediscovering classic Italian and international films, attending masterclasses, and engaging with enthusiasm. It’s a clear signal of cultural vitality running through every voice in this incredible program.”
Venice 2025: A Star-Studded Lineup and Bold New Visions
The official competition of the 82nd Venice Film Festival, held from August 27 to September 6, celebrated stylistic diversity and auteur excellence. Among the 21 films selected, five Italian works stood out, including La grazia by Paolo Sorrentino as the opening title. Alongside it were Elisa by Leonardo Di Costanzo, Duse by Pietro Marcello, Un film fatto per bene by Franco Maresco, and Sotto le nuvole by Gianfranco Rosi.
Renowned directors from around the globe joined the competition: Yorgos Lanthimos, Guillermo Del Toro, Park Chan-wook, Jim Jarmusch, François Ozon, and Kathryn Bigelow brought fresh cinematic perspectives to the Lido. Alexander Payne presided over the jury, while the Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement were presented to Kim Novak and Werner Herzog.
Outside the competition, major new works by Luca Guadagnino, Gus Van Sant, Julian Schnabel, and Antonio Capuano drew attention. The Non-Fiction section featured documentaries by Herzog, Lucrecia Martel, Laura Poitras, and Sofia Coppola. The Orizzonti section, which opened with Mother by Teona Strugar Mitevska starring Noomi Rapace as Mother Teresa, offered a platform for experimental and independent cinema.
Other highlights included the Spotlight, TV Series, Venezia Classici, Final Cut, and the International Critics’ Week sections—making the 2025 edition one of the richest and most anticipated in recent years.
Red Carpet Stars at Venice 2025: From Julia Roberts to George Clooney
With the official lineup now revealed, the Venice Film Festival turned its spotlight on the most glamorous red carpet in global cinema. Big-name stars were in attendance, including Julia Roberts, starring in After the Hunt by Luca Guadagnino (Out of Competition). Among those vying for the Golden Lion were George Clooney, Greta Gerwig, and Alba Rohrwacher in Jay Kelly by Noah Baumbach; Emma Stone in Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos; Amanda Seyfried in The Testament of Ann Lee; Christoph Waltz in Del Toro’s Frankenstein; and Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits in Jim Jarmusch’s ensemble film Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.
Italian cinema was also well represented on the red carpet, with appearances by Pierfrancesco Favino (in Il Maestro), Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Toni Servillo, Valeria Golino, Barbara Ronchi, Vinicio Marchioni, Michele Riondino, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Teresa Saponangelo, Fabrizio Gifuni, and Valentine Bellè—forming a star-studded lineup that brought style, emotion, and cultural weight to the Lido.
