Biennale Cinema 2026

Venice Film Festival 2026: Venice returns as the world capital of the big screen

Every year, Venice hosts one of the most prestigious and eagerly awaited events on the international film scene: the Venice Film Festival. In 2026, the lagoon city hosts the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, an event that attracts directors, actors, producers, critics and film enthusiasts from all over the world.

For several days, Venice becomes the beating heart of world cinema, a place where creativity, talent and innovation come together. It is a unique opportunity to experience the city in a vibrant atmosphere, where art and entertainment intertwine against an unrivalled backdrop.

The oldest film festival in the world

The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world. Founded in 1932, it has been a major point of reference for the international film industry for more than ninety years.

Throughout its history, it has welcomed some of the greatest figures in world cinema, helping to discover new talents and rewarding works destined to leave their mark on contemporary culture.
Attending the Venice Film Festival means coming into contact with a prestigious tradition that continues to renew itself year after year.

Venice Lido at the centre of the international stage

During the event, Venice Lido becomes the focal point of the festival. This is where the official screenings, meetings with filmmakers, press conferences and eagerly awaited red-carpet appearances take place, attracting the attention of media from all over the world.

The atmosphere is unique. International film stars mingle with emerging young directors, industry professionals and enthusiasts who travel to Venice to attend the season’s most eagerly anticipated premieres.
The Lido therefore becomes a place for meeting and discussion, where cinema can be experienced in all its forms.

Premieres, filmmakers and new perspectives

The Venice Film Festival is not only about glamour and the red carpet. Above all, films are at the heart of the event.

The programme features works from all over the world, offering a comprehensive overview of contemporary cinema trends. Feature films, documentaries, experimental works and new productions all find a place within a selection designed to promote artistic quality, innovation and research.
The screenings therefore become opportunities to discover new stories, new languages and new cultural perspectives.

The Golden Lion and the prestige of the competition

One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event is the presentation of the Golden Lion, one of the most prestigious awards in international cinema.
Winning in Venice means entering the history of cinema. Many of the films awarded at the Festival have subsequently achieved worldwide success, helping to consolidate the Biennale’s role as a privileged observatory on the future of the industry.

Alongside the Golden Lion, numerous other awards are presented to celebrate directing, acting, screenwriting and artistic innovation.

Venice and cinema: a special connection

The Venice Film Festival also represents a different way of experiencing Venice. During the festival, the city comes alive with meetings, associated events, exhibitions and cultural initiatives involving not only the Lido, but the entire Venetian area.

Walking through the city’s calli during this period means experiencing an international atmosphere, where different languages, cultures and sensibilities come together through a shared passion for cinema.
The city therefore becomes an integral part of the experience, offering an extraordinary setting that helps make the festival even more fascinating.

An experience that goes beyond the big screen

Even those who do not work in the film industry can experience the Venice Film Festival as something unique. Attending a premiere, meeting international filmmakers or simply immersing yourself in the festival atmosphere allows you to discover Venice in a different light.

It is an opportunity to combine culture, entertainment and discovery, experiencing the city during one of the liveliest moments of the year.

Why visit Venice during the 2026 Venice Film Festival

The 2026 Venice Film Festival offers the opportunity to see some of the season’s most eagerly awaited films and to discover the very best of international film production.

But it also represents something more: the opportunity to experience Venice during a period of extraordinary cultural energy, when art, creativity and beauty come together.
Through screenings, meetings and unique atmospheres, the Venice International Film Festival continues to be one of the events that best expresses Venice’s international vocation, once again confirming its status as one of the world’s great cultural capitals.