Venice International Film Festival 2025 – Italy

Background and History

Founded in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival, officially known as Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica di Venezia, is the world’s oldest film festival, standing alongside Cannes and Berlin as one of the “Big Three.” Organized by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera, it takes place annually on the Lido di Venezia, a barrier island known for its sandy beaches and elegant atmosphere.

The festival’s aim is to promote international cinema as art, entertainment, and industry in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. Since its inception, it has been a launchpad for cinematic milestones, hosting premieres of films like Gravity (2013), La La Land (2016), and Nomadland (2020), many of which went on to win Academy Awards. The festival also organizes retrospectives, tributes, and sections like Venice Classics to preserve cinematic history, while introducing innovative sections like Venice Immersive for virtual reality films.

Event Highlights

The 82nd edition, running from August 27 to September 6, 2025, promises a star-studded lineup and cinematic excellence. Key highlights include:

• Opening and Closing Films: The festival opens with Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, featuring Toni Servillo, and closes with Dog 51 by Cédric Jimenez.
• In Competition (Venezia 82): Films competing for the Golden Lion include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein with Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia starring Emma Stone, and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite with Idris Elba. The jury, chaired by Alexander Payne, includes luminaries like Cristian Mungiu and Zhao Tao.
• Out of Competition: High-profile screenings feature Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt with Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, Julian Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante with Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese, and Sofia Coppola’s documentary Marc by Sofia.
• Orizzonti Section: Showcasing innovative cinema, with films like Mother by Teona Strugar Mitevska and Late Fame starring Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee.
• Venice Classics and Immersive: Restored classics like Pedro Almodóvar’s Matador and virtual reality projects in the Venice Immersive section.
• Special Events: The festival includes masterclasses, press conferences, and red carpet events, with stars like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Cate Blanchett expected to attend.

Dates and Duration

• Dates: August 27 – September 6, 2025
• Duration: 11 days

Venues and Locations

The festival is held across multiple venues on the Lido di Venezia, with the historic Palazzo del Cinema as the centerpiece. Below are the key locations and their addresses:

• Palazzo del Cinema: Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. The main venue for premieres and red carpet events.
• Sala Grande: Located within Palazzo del Cinema, Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. Hosts major screenings and ceremonies.
• PalaBiennale: Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A large marquee for public screenings.
• Sala Darsena: Via Pietro Buratti, 1, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A key venue for Orizzonti and other screenings.
• Sala Giardino: Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. An outdoor venue for public and evening screenings.
• Sala Corinto: Via della Darsena, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A smaller venue for select screenings.
• Sala Casinò: Lungomare Marconi, 1861, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. Hosts additional screenings.
• Sala Perla: Via Pietro Buratti, 1, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. Used for Orizzonti and special events.
• Sala Volpi: Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A venue for public and accredited screenings.
• Sala Astra 1 and 2: Via Corfù, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. Smaller venues for diverse programming.

Contact Information

• Address: Cinema Department, Ca’ Giustinian, San Marco 1364/A, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
• Phone: +39 041 5218 711 (General inquiries, Monday–Friday, 10 AM–1 PM, 2 PM–5 PM)
• Ticket Info Phone: +39 041 2726 624 (Monday–Friday, 10 AM–1 PM, 2 PM–5 PM)
• Email: cinema@labiennale.org (General), biglietteria.cinema@labiennale.org (Tickets)
• Website: www.labiennale.org

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Tickets are available exclusively online via the official Biennale/Vivaticket platform (biennalecinema.vivaticket.it) starting August 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM CEST. Registration on the website is recommended for security and ease of purchase. Digital tickets (QR codes) can be shown on smartphones at venue entrances.
• Pricing: Ticket prices vary by venue and time slot, with concessions for those under 26, over 65, or Biennale Card 2025 holders.
  • Sala Grande:
    • 2:00 PM: $16.50 (full), $13.20 (concession)
    • 4:30 PM: $22.00 (full), $16.50 (concession)
    • 7:00 PM: $55.00 (full), $44.00 (concession)
    • 9:30 PM: $44.00 (full), $33.00 (concession)
    • Midnight: $22.00 (full), $16.50 (concession)
  • PalaBiennale:
    • 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM: $13.20 (full), $9.90 (concession)
    • 8:00 PM: $24.20 (full), $19.80 (concession)
  • Sala Darsena: $15.40 (full), $11.00 (concession) for all screenings
  • Sala Giardino:
    • 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM: $13.20 (full), $9.90 (concession)
    • 9:00 PM: $15.40 (full), $11.00 (concession)
  • Sala Corinto, Sala Casinò, Sala Perla, Sala Volpi, Sala Astra 1 & 2: $11.00 (full), $7.70 (concession) for all screenings
• Subscriptions: Available for specific venues and time slots, ranging from $55.00 for Sala Corinto (all slots) to $1760.00 for Sala Grande Gallery (7:00 PM). Concessions apply for under 26, over 65, and Biennale Card holders.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair users (with certified documentation) and those with disabilities can request reduced-price tickets via biglietteria.cinema@labiennale.org, with companions receiving free tickets. Requests must be submitted 48 hours before screenings.

Cultural Experience

The Venice International Film Festival is a unique blend of cinematic innovation, glamour, and Venetian charm. Held on the picturesque Lido di Venezia, it attracts filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles worldwide. The red carpet at Palazzo del Cinema is iconic, with celebrities arriving by water taxi, creating unforgettable moments. The festival showcases a diverse range of films, from Oscar-contending blockbusters to avant-garde works in the Orizzonti section. Side events include exhibitions, parties, and all-night clubs, transforming the Lido into a vibrant cultural hub. The 2025 edition features a strong Italian presence with films like Elisa by Leonardo Di Costanzo and Duse by Pietro Marcello, alongside international works like The Smashing Machine by Benny Safdie.

Food and Drinks

While the festival itself does not host dedicated food events, the Lido and nearby Venice offer a rich culinary scene:

• Seafood Risotto: A Venetian specialty featuring fresh lagoon seafood.
• Cicchetti: Small tapas-like dishes served in local bacari, often with prosecco.
• Tiramisu: A classic Venetian dessert, available at restaurants near Palazzo del Cinema.
• Spritz: The iconic Venetian aperitivo, typically made with Aperol or Campari.
• Gelato: Try Gelateria Nico (Dorsoduro, 922, 30123 Venezia, VE) for artisanal gelato near vaporetto stops. Restaurants like Trattoria Al Gazzettino (Sotoportego de le Acque, 4997, 30124 Venezia VE) or Osteria alle Testiere (Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801, 30122 Venezia VE) offer authentic Venetian cuisine, accessible via vaporetto from the Lido.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The festival is primarily geared toward adults, with most screenings suitable for mature audiences. However, public screenings at venues like Sala Giardino may be appropriate for older children interested in cinema. No specific kids’ program is offered.
• Accessibility: All venues are barrier-free for disabled visitors. Wheelchair seating is limited (e.g., 4 seats in Sala Grande, 8 in PalaBiennale) and must be requested 48 hours in advance via biglietteria.cinema@labiennale.org. The festival also offers accreditation for professionals and students, enhancing access to exclusive screenings.

Getting There

• By Air: Arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), 13 km from Venice. Take the Alilaguna boat (Red Line, ~$16.50, 45 min) to Lido S. Maria Elisabetta or an ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma, then vaporetto to the Lido.
• By Train: Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, then take ACTV vaporetto lines 1, 5.1, or 6 to Lido S. Maria Elisabetta (~20 min, $8.25/ticket).
• By Car: From the A4 Motorway, follow signs to Venezia Lido and board the ACTV ferry boat from Tronchetto to Lido (~35 min, ~$22.00/vehicle).
• By Vaporetto: From Venice’s center (e.g., San Zaccaria or Piazzale Roma), take lines 1, 6, or 20 to Lido S. Maria Elisabetta or Lido Casinò (~15–20 min, $8.25/ticket). From the Lido stop, walk or take a local bus to Palazzo del Cinema.
• On Foot: The Lido is compact; most venues are within a 10–15 minute walk from Lido S. Maria Elisabetta.

Program Overview

The 2025 festival features a robust program across multiple sections:

• In Competition (Venezia 82): 21 films competing for the Golden Lion, including The Wizard of the Kremlin by Olivier Assayas and No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook.
• Out of Competition: 30 films, including fiction like Den Sidste Viking by Anders Thomas Jensen and nonfiction like Ghost Elephants by Werner Herzog.
• Orizzonti: 19 films focusing on emerging trends, featuring stars like Chris Pine in Il rapimento di Arabella.
• Venice Classics: Restored films like Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita and Kwaidan by Masaki Kobayashi.
• Venice Immersive: 69 immersive works, showcasing virtual reality and extended reality projects.
• Special Events: Includes the world premiere of HBO Max’s Portobello series by Marco Bellocchio and a Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion for Werner Herzog and Kim Novak.

Notable Collaborations

The festival collaborates with global institutions to enhance its program:

• FIAPF: Officially recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, ensuring high standards.
• Italian Cinema: Partnerships with local filmmakers and institutions highlight films like Un film fatto per bene by Franco Maresco.
• International Partners: Collaborations with Netflix (Frankenstein) and HBO Max (Portobello) bring high-profile projects to the Lido.

Awards and Recognition

The festival awards several prestigious prizes:

• Golden Lion: Best film in the Venezia 82 competition, judged by Alexander Payne’s jury.
• Silver Lion: Awards for Best Director and Grand Jury Prize.
• Coppa Volpi: Best Actor and Actress.
• Marcello Mastroianni Award: Best new young actor or actress.
• Lion of the Future: A $100,000 prize for the best debut film, shared between director and producer.

Accommodation Tips

Staying on the Lido is convenient but expensive during the festival. Recommended hotels include:

• Hotel Excelsior: Lungomare Marconi, 41, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A 5-star luxury hotel known for celebrity sightings (~$300–$1000/night).
• Hotel Villa Mabapa: Riviera San Nicolò, 16, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. A charming, quieter option (~$150–$300/night).
• Hotel Rivamare: Lungomare Marconi, 44, 30126 Lido di Venezia VE, Italy. Budget-friendly with style (~$100–$200/night). Alternatively, stay in Venice’s historic center (San Marco, Castello, or Cannaregio) and use vaporetto services. Hotels like Hotel Danieli (Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, ~$400–$1200/night) or mid-range options like Hotel Antiche Figure (Santa Croce, 687, 30135 Venezia VE, ~$150–$350/night) are accessible.