Venice Film Festival, between history and the present

Lido of Venice is not only a seaside destination. It is also the home of one of the most prestigious film events in the world: the Venice Film Festival.

Its history begins in the 1930s, when Italy decided to organise an event to promote its nascent productions and compete with other international events, such as the Cannes Film Festival. The choice of Lido of Venice as a home was a natural one, thanks to its beauty and enchanting atmosphere.
The Festival’s debut date was 6 August 1932, when the island of the Lido became an arena for world cinema. The main location of the event was the Hotel Excelsior, a luxury hotel that is still renowned today, and the inauguration was attended by numerous prominent personalities of the film scene of the time.

Since its first edition, the Venice Film Festival has assigned a very coveted recognition in the world of cinema, the Golden Lion. The prize, depicting the famous lion of San Marco, was awarded to the best film in competition, becoming the very symbol of the event. In the following years, the Lion Trophy was awarded to directors and films that have left an indelible mark on world film history.

Only the Second World War forced the Festival to stop, but in 1947 internationally renowned filmmakers and stars returned to enliven the Lido and its streets. From that moment on, the event became an unmissable annual event for film lovers.

Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Federico Fellini, and many others: numerous actors, directors and producers were housed inside the Palazzo del Cinema. But not only established artists: for many, the event has also represented a real springboard for world cinema, projecting emerging or hidden talents into the international limelight.

From those first screenings at the Lido of Venice, the event has evolved into one of the most prestigious and beloved film festivals in the world. Every year between August and September, the Festival continues to represent a unique opportunity to celebrate cinema in all its facets, making the Lido an even more fascinating destination for travellers and film lovers from all over the world.