Event Details
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival 2026
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival takes place from 2 to 12 September 2026 on the Lido di Venezia. Organised by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera, this is the world's oldest film festival and one of the most prestigious events in global cinema. American actress, director and screenwriter Maggie Gyllenhaal serves as President of the main competition jury. American actor and filmmaker George Clooney will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during the festival.
Highlights 2026
- Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal leads the main competition panel
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement awarded to George Clooney
- World premieres of major films at the Palazzo del Cinema (Sala Grande)
- Public screenings at Sala Darsena and PalaBiennale
- Pre-opening film: Deadly Sweet (1967) by Tinto Brass in restored 4K print (1 September)
- Venice Immersive: VR and XR projects on the Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio
- Venice Production Bridge (4–6 September): film market presenting 66 international projects
- Biennale College Cinema showcasing micro-budget features from emerging directors
- Red carpet at Palazzo del Cinema; viewable for free from the pedestrian area
Program and Competition
The official competition lineup will be announced on 23 July 2026 via a live-streamed press conference. Films currently expected to compete include works by Werner Herzog, David Fincher, Joel Coen, Tom Ford, Aaron Sorkin and Martin McDonagh. The festival awards the Golden Lion for Best Film, the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize and the Coppa Volpi for acting. No joint awards are permitted under festival rules. The closing ceremony and awards presentation take place on 12 September 2026.
Public Screenings and Tickets
Tickets for public screenings are sold exclusively online at labiennale.org from mid-August 2026 and are strictly non-transferable. Prices depend on venue and time slot: the prestigious Sala Grande starts at €15 for afternoon screenings and rises to €50 for the coveted 7pm evening galas. Smaller venues including PalaBiennale and Sala Darsena range from €12 to €22. Discounts are available for under-26s, over-65s and Biennale Card 2026 holders. Popular screenings sell out within hours of going on sale, so logging in early on the day tickets are released is strongly advised. The official 7pm screenings in Sala Grande are reserved exclusively for the general public.
Venues
All festival activity is concentrated on the Lido di Venezia. The main hub is the Palazzo del Cinema, home to the Sala Grande where major premieres and award ceremonies are held. Additional screenings take place at Sala Darsena and PalaBiennale. The Venice Immersive section occupies its own dedicated island, the Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio. The red carpet in front of the Palazzo del Cinema can be viewed for free from the pedestrianised area after a security check.
Getting There
- By train: Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station, then take vaporetto lines 1, 6, 4.1 or 5.2 to Lido S. Maria Elisabetta
- By plane: Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport, then take the Alilaguna boat (Red or Blue line) to Lido S. Maria Elisabetta
- By car: Exit the A4 motorway at Venice and board the Actv ferry to the Lido
- By boat: From Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia take Actv lines 20 or MC to Lido Casinò
Visitor Tips
- Tickets go on sale in mid-August and sell out within hours: log in early and have your payment details ready.
- The red carpet is free to watch from the pedestrian area; no ticket or accreditation required.
- Formal attire is required for evening screenings and red carpet events; smart casual is fine for daytime screenings.
- Arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before your screening to clear security checks.
- Accommodation on the Lido is the most convenient option; Venice historic centre and Mestre offer more affordable alternatives with easy vaporetto access.
- Book accommodation as early as possible; the city fills up completely during the festival.
- Glass bottles are not permitted on festival grounds.
