Venice Film Festival 2025: Spotlight on Global Cinema and Star-Studded Premieres

The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is set to commence on August 27, 2025, at the Venice Lido in Italy, running through September 6. As the world's oldest film festival, established in 1932, Venice continues to be a pivotal platform for international cinema, often serving as a launchpad for films that gain prominence during the awards season.

This year's festival will open with Paolo Sorrentino's "La Grazia," an Italian production starring Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti. The film is anticipated to be a Truffaut-style love story, though specific plot details remain under wraps. Sorrentino, known for works like "The Great Beauty" and "The Hand of God," returns to Venice where he first debuted with "One Man Up" in 2001. The festival will conclude with "Dog 51," directed by Cédric Jimenez.

The main competition features 21 films vying for the prestigious Golden Lion award. Notable entries include:

• "Bugonia" by Yorgos Lanthimos, a sci-fi black comedy starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.
• "Jay Kelly" by Noah Baumbach, a reflective Hollywood satire featuring George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
• "Frankenstein" by Guillermo del Toro, an adaptation starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
• "The Smashing Machine" by Benny Safdie, a biographical drama starring Dwayne Johnson.
• "A House of Dynamite" by Kathryn Bigelow, a political thriller featuring Idris Elba.
• "The Wizard of the Kremlin" by Olivier Assayas, starring Jude Law.

Out-of-competition highlights include Luca Guadagnino’s "After the Hunt," a psychosexual drama starring Julia Roberts in her Venice debut; Julian Schnabel’s "In the Hand of Dante"; and Gus Van Sant’s "Dead Man’s Wire."

American filmmaker Alexander Payne, known for "Sideways" and "The Descendants," will serve as Jury President for the main competition. Italian actress and author Emanuela Fanelli will host both the opening and closing ceremonies.

The festival will honor German filmmaker Werner Herzog and American actress Kim Novak with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Herzog is recognized for his extensive contributions to cinema, including over 70 films spanning fiction and documentary genres. Novak, famed for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo," will be honored at age 92.

Venice's role in launching films that become award-season favorites underscores its significance in the global film industry. The inclusion of films addressing contemporary issues, such as Kaouther Ben Hania’s "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which uses real audio to depict a poignant rescue attempt in Gaza, highlights the festival's commitment to socially relevant storytelling.

As the festival unfolds, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see which films emerge as frontrunners for the upcoming awards season, further solidifying Venice's enduring influence on global cinema.