The Venice Film Festival 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most awaited cinematic events of the year. As the oldest film festival in the world (started in 1932), the event continues to be a prestigious platform for the global filmmakers, actors and the cinephiles as well. In this guide, you will get to learn everything about this festival – schedule, popular films to watch, jury and much more.
Apart from this, you will also get tips on how to reach and where to stay. So, grab your Italy Tourist Visa from UK and go through this guide to plan a wonderful festival experience for you and your loved ones!
Quick Summary – Celebrating its 82nd edition, the Venice Film Festival 2025 will take place from the 27th August to the 6th September 2025 at the Lido di Venezia. Expect to enjoy a diverse lineup of the films, immersive experiences and the restored classics. With the A-list celebrities, delicious foods and the culture, you have the perfect event for a memorable Italian holiday!
The Venice Film Festival 2025 is one of the oldest and the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Celebrating its 82nd edition, the film festival continues a legacy in the film industry that started in the year 1932. The festival is expected to feature the immersive VR projects, bold world premieres and tributes to the classic cinema
The festival will take place from 27 August to 6 September 2025. It will be held at the Lido di Venezia which is a slender barrier island located in the Venice Lagoon.
Did you know? The Venice Film Festival in 2025 will feature 6 official sections like Venezia 82, Orizzonti and more!
| Date | Event | Venue/Details |
| August 26, 2025 | Pre-opening Screenings | Sala Darsena, Lido di Venezia |
| August 27, 2025 | Opening Ceremony, World Premieres Begin | Palazzo del Cinema, Lido |
| August 27–Sept 6 | Official Screenings (All Sections) | Multiple venues on the Lido |
| August 27–Sept 6 | Red Carpet Arrivals Daily | Main Entrance, Palazzo del Cinema |
| August 27–Sept 6 | Venice Immersive Program | Dedicated immersive venues |
| Aug 31–Sept 2 | Venice Production Bridge | Production/industry events |
| September 6, 2025 | Closing Ceremony & Awards Presentation | Palazzo del Cinema |
Check out the world premieres from the acclaimed directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos and Luca Guadagnino. You will also get to see some of the A-list celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Julia Roberts, Emma Stone and more. Apart from these, the festival showcases films from over 50 countries!
Have you heard? The Venice Immersive Section alone features close to 69 projects from around 27 countries!
| Section Name | Description | 2025 Highlights/Details |
| Main Competition (Venezia 82) | The most prestigious section; 21 feature films compete for the Golden Lion and other major awards. | Global directors, world premieres, auteur cinema. |
| Out of Competition | High-profile screenings, gala presentations, and celebrated works not in competition. | Star-driven films, large-scale productions. |
| Orizzonti | Focuses on new trends in world cinema; includes features and shorts. | International, innovative, often boundary-pushing. |
| Venice Classics | Showcases restored masterpieces and documentaries about cinema history. | 7+ film restorations and historical tributes. |
| Venice Immersive | XR, VR, and AR storytelling—cutting-edge immersive projects from around the world. | Check out the 69 projects from across the 27 countries in 2025. |
| Venice Spotlight | Diverse, global storytelling crossing genres and formats. | Witness the New voices, the popular TV series, and the hybrid projects. |
| Sconfini / Special Screenings | Genre films, experimental cinema, and unique one-off screenings. | This section features the innovative and the niche films. |
| Parallel Sections | Independent and sidebar programs: International Critics’ Week, Giornate degli Autori. | Explore the creations of the emerging directors and the independent cinema. |
Which Films to Watch at Venice Film Festival in 2025?
You can head over to the Palazzo del Cinema to get the glimpse of the iconic arrivals and the celebrity sightings. Apart from these, there are the exclusive galas, afterparties and the industry mixes . These provide the unmatched access to the stars and filmmakers. So, what are you waiting for? Apply for Italy visa from UK now for an incredible festival experience !
During the festival, Venice transforms into a crossroads of the cinema, art, cuisine and the nightlife. Enjoy some wonderful experiences like:
Interesting Fact – The films and events will be staged across 7 key venues on the Lido. These include the Palazzo del Cinema and many more!
In case you didn’t know – In the recent years, about 60,000 tickets were sold to the public.
| Film Title | Director | Notable Cast | Genre/Themes | Why Anticipated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After the Hunt | Luca Guadagnino | Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield | Thriller / #MeToo | This film is quite bold and topical, features the acclaimed star-power and is also generating the Oscar buzz |
| Bugonia | Yorgos Lanthimos | Emma Stone | Satire / Dark Comedy | Witness the high-concept, auteur-driven and genre-bending film at Venice! |
| Father, Mother, Sister, Brother | Jim Jarmusch | Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver | Comedy-Drama, Triptych | Dive into the intimate, playful and the intriguing storytelling |
| La Grazia | Paolo Sorrentino | TBA | Drama / Italian Society | Check out the festival opener which is visually sumptuous and boasts the emotional resonance. |
| The Smashing Machine | Benny Safdie | Dwayne Johnson | Sports Drama / Biopic | It is quite Intense, true-life and a career-defining performance by the popular actor. |
| Hamnet | Chloé Zhao | Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal | Historical Drama / Literary | Experience the Poetic visuals and the acclaimed source material |
| Couture | Alice Winocour | Angelina Jolie | Thriller / Fashion World | Enjoy the glamorous, gritty and the artistic ambition |
Are you aware? The Main Competition, Venezia 82 typically has about 20-21 feature films during the festival.
| Award Name | Description |
| Golden Lion | Best Film in the main competition |
| Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize | Runner-up to the Golden Lion |
| Silver Lion – Best Director | Best Director in the main competition |
| Special Jury Prize | Third prize for a film in major competition |
| Coppa Volpi – Best Actress | Best Actress in a leading role |
| Coppa Volpi – Best Actor | Best Actor in a leading role |
| Best Screenplay | Best screenwriter of a film in competition |
| Marcello Mastroianni Award | Most promising young actor or actress |
| Lion of the Future | Best debut feature across all sections |
| Orizzonti Award (multiple categories) | Awards for best film, director, actors, screenplay in the Horizons section |
| Venice Immersive Awards | Prizes for virtual/immersive storytelling |
| Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement | Lifetime contribution to cinema |
| Name | Profession/Notability | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Payne | Filmmaker (Jury President) | USA |
| Stéphane Brizé | Director/Screenwriter | France |
| Maura Delpero | Director/Screenwriter | Italy |
| Cristian Mungiu | Director/Writer/Producer | Romania |
| Mohammad Rasoulof | Director/Writer | Iran |
| Fernanda Torres | Actress/Screenwriter | Brazil |
| Zhao Tao | Actress/Producer | China |
Please note – The tickets will be available exclusively online. Also, make sure to book the tickets in advance as they tend to get sold out quickly!
| Ticket Type | Price Range (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Admission (public) | €15–25 | For most standard screenings; assigned seating not guaranteed |
| Reserved Seating | €35–50 | Guaranteed seat at select popular screenings/venues |
| Premium/Red Carpet Screenings | €75–100 | Access to gala, opening, or special events in top venues (e.g., Sala Grande) |
| Subscriptions (venue/time slot) | €80–1,600 | Multiple-entry pass for a venue or screening slot; price varies by scope and exclusivity |
| VIP/Red Carpet Packages | €2,400–€6,000+ | Includes exclusive red carpet access, premium seating, and hospitality |
| Festival Accreditations | From €70–200+ | For industry, press, or students; grants access to many screenings and facilities |
| Reduced-Rate Tickets | Discounted from above | Available for under-26s, over-65s, Biennale Card holders (ID required) |
The Venice Film Festival 2025 promises to be a cinematic celebration of the:
Add the celebrity attendees, delicious food and the iconic Italian culture and you have the perfect film festival experience to look forward to .
Worried that you may not be able to attend the festival because of Italy visa appointment challenges?
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Travelling to the Italy has never been more easier. Apply for the visa now to kickstart your Venice Film Festival trip preparations!
The 82nd Venice Film Festival will take place from 27th August to 6th September 2025 at the Lido di Venezia, a charming island location in the Venice . Also, the main events will be screened at the prestigious Palazzo del Cinema.
Visitors get the chance to enjoy the world premieres and the immersive festival experiences. In addition to this, there are the red carpet events, Q&A sessions and the outdoor screenings. Apart from this, the festival is quite popular for the glamorous fashion and the robust industry networking too.
Travelers can easily reach the festival by using the main transport hubs of the Venice with the vaporetta water buses offering a seamless connection to the Lido di Venezia.
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