Venice Film Festival 2026: the Venice 83 programme unveiled

Events

From 2 to 12 September, the Venice Lido once again becomes the world capital of cinema

The countdown has officially begun. From 2 to 12 September 2026, the Venice Lido will host the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, organised by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera. For eleven days, world premieres, acclaimed filmmakers, international stars and emerging talents will once again animate the Palazzo del Cinema and the festival’s other iconic venues.

With the announcement of the Official Selection, Venice 83 is beginning to take shape. Its programme spans different genres, countries and cinematic languages, confirming the Festival’s ability to bring together some of the best-known names in international cinema with emerging voices and new forms of audiovisual storytelling.

Films in competition at the 2026 Venice Film Festival

Twenty feature films have been selected for the Venice 83 Competition, all of which will be presented as world premieres. Among the most eagerly awaited directors are Danny Boyle, Werner Herzog, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Lee Chang-dong, Martin McDonagh, Nanni Moretti, Casey Affleck, Florian Zeller and Paolo Strippoli.

They will be joined on the big screen by actors including Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Robert Pattinson, Alicia Vikander, Susan Sarandon, Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Orlando Bloom, Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy.

Italian cinema will also have a strong presence. Five Italian films will compete for the Golden Lion: Ritorno a Buenos Aires by Marco Bechis, Il fuoco che ti porti dentro by Edoardo De Angelis, Succederà questa notte by Nanni Moretti, The Echo Chamber by Andrea Pallaoro and L’estranea by Paolo Strippoli.

Danny Boyle’s Ink to open Venice 83

The Festival will officially open on Wednesday, 2 September, in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema with Danny Boyle’s Ink.

Presented as a world premiere and in competition, the film stars Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy. Based on James Graham’s play of the same name, the story recounts Rupert Murdoch’s acquisition of the British newspaper The Sun and its transformation into one of the United Kingdom’s most influential tabloids.

The closing film will be Dio ride, written and directed by Giovanni Veronesi. Screening out of competition on Saturday, 12 September, after the awards ceremony, the film stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Silvio Orlando, Alma Noce, Francesco Gheghi, Maurizio Lombardi, Paolo Rossi and Carlo Cecchi.

Beyond the Competition: all the sections of Venice 83

Alongside the films competing for the Golden Lion, the programme includes the Venice Open – Out of Competition, Orizzonti, Venezia Spotlight, Venezia Classici, Venice Immersive and Biennale College Cinema sections. Among the Out of Competition titles, one of the most anticipated is Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, which explores the emotional impact of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s reunion and includes their first exclusive interview.

Orizzonti will continue to explore new aesthetic and expressive trends in international cinema, while Venezia Spotlight will showcase particularly innovative and original works in terms of their relationship with audiences.

Venice Immersive will celebrate its tenth anniversary. The section dedicated to extended reality experiences will present 68 projects from 26 countries, including virtual and mixed reality, immersive videos, installations and virtual worlds. The programme will take place on Venice Immersive Island, the island of Lazzaretto Vecchio, located opposite the Riva di Corinto.

The jury and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement

The Venice 83 International Jury will be chaired by American director, actress and screenwriter Maggie Gyllenhaal. Together with the other six members, she will be responsible for awarding the Golden Lion and the Festival’s other official prizes.

The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Ellen Burstyn, whose career spans more than sixty years and includes landmark films such as The Exorcist, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Requiem for a Dream and Interstellar.

The Venice Lido prepares for the Film Festival

During the Festival, the Venice Lido changes pace and becomes a meeting point for cinema, culture and glamour. The Palazzo del Cinema, the red carpet, the historic hotels and the island’s streets provide the setting for premieres, encounters and special occasions involving not only industry professionals, but also visitors and film enthusiasts.

The daily schedule, including screening times, is expected to be published around mid-August. Tickets for individual screenings will go on sale at the same time, while passes for the different venues are already available on the official La Biennale di Venezia website.

The full programme and all updates are available on the official La Biennale di Venezia website.