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Israel-Hamas warUkraineVenice Film Festival
A woman in a light blue dress poses for photographers on the red carpet in Venice
Image: Yara Nardi/REUTERSImage: Yara Nardi/REUTERS

Venice Film Festival

One of the three major European film festivals alongside Cannes and Berlin, the annual event in Italy is the world's oldest of its kind and renowned for its selection of films of high artistic quality.

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George Clooney (left) and Brad Pitt on a boat in Venice.

Venice Film Festival readies for awards ceremony

This year's star-studded Venice Film Festival boasted an eclectic mix of international films vying for the Golden Lion.
FilmSeptember 7, 202402:36 min
Film still from 'Babygirl' shows closeup of actors Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in desiring embrace.

Venice Film Festival favorites

Sex scenes, stars and extended standing ovations: Here are some of the films that grabbed the most attention in Venice.
FilmSeptember 5, 202412 images
A man with a white-painted clown mouth stares pensively ahead

The Jerry Lewis Holocaust movie no one has ever seen

The Venice Film Festival will show clips from the comedian's "lost" Holocaust movie "The Day the Clown Cried."
FilmAugust 30, 2024
A woman wearing a dark dress gestures to a crowd

Why Venice is this year's most important film festival

The 81st Venice Film Festival is a can't-miss event for movie fans, featuring feature debuts and superstar returns.
FilmAugust 28, 2024
Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos at the 80th Venice Film Festival

Black comedy 'Poor Things' wins Golden Lion at Venice

The Venice Film Festival marks the start of the awards season.
FilmSeptember 9, 2023
A woman in a black gown reaching out to her dog on the red carpet

Venice film festival: The tops and the flops

Polanski's selection in the competition sparked controversy — but how was his film? Our DW reporter reveals his faves.
FilmSeptember 8, 2023
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 7 September 2023

A Bavarian scandal with national implications, Istanbul's water is running out, and Budapest celebrates 150 years of Jewish history. Also on the show: Germany's tradition of church asylum, hot topics at the Venice Film Festival, and an opera masterclass in a Romanian castle.
PoliticsSeptember 7, 202355:00 min
A general view of photographers at the opening red carpet at the 80th Venice.

80th Venice Film Festival: A less starry affair than usual

Due to the Hollywood strikes, fewer US actors and writers will be attending the festival to promote films.
FilmAugust 31, 20239 images
File photo of the winged golden lion that symbolizes the Venice Film Festival.

Venice Film Festival opens amid Hollywood strikes

Some of the films and directors have already sparked controversy even before screenings begin.
FilmAugust 30, 202302:33 min
Film still 'Priscilla': actors who look like Elvis and Priscilla Presley about to kiss on wedding day.

Venice film fest celebrates cinema despite Hollywood strikes

Fewer stars will attend, but Priscilla Presley and Adam Driver may appear. Other picks have sparked controversy.
FilmAugust 29, 2023
Film still from 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed': a curly red head with glasses looks towards the camera while another person applies mascara, looking the mirror.

Laura Poitras wins Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion

"All the Beauty and the Bloodshed," a documentary about photographer Nan Goldin, won the festival's best film award.
FilmSeptember 10, 2022
Sadie Sink wearing a feathery dress on the red carpet, surrounded by photographers.

Venice Film Festival: Stars on the red carpet

Traditionally, the red carpet is the place to wow fans with extravagant attire. Take a look.
FilmSeptember 7, 20228 images
79. Filmfestival in Venedig

Venice Film Festival opens with Adam Driver satire

Along with its red carpet event, the Venice Film Festival kicked off with a powerful message from Ukraine's president.
FilmSeptember 1, 2022
"White Noise" cast member Jodie Turner-Smith poses on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festivals, photographers in the background.

Venice Film Festival opening: Red carpet looks and highlights

Adam Driver and Julianne Moore dazzled on the red carpet. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for support for Ukraine.
FilmSeptember 1, 20228 images
Film still from "TAR" with actor Cate Blanchett as conductor Lydia Tar holding a baton.

7 films with a fresh perspective on women

At the competition of the Venice Film Festival 2022, many directors are telling stories of women.
FilmAugust 30, 2022
In a black and white photo the cinema audience sits in wicker chairs

When the Venice Film Festival was fascist

The Venice Film Festival celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Its beginnings were deeply entangled with fascism.
FilmAugust 29, 2022
French director Audrey Diwan holds up her Golden Lion in Venice

'The Happening' wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival

Abortion drama "The Happening" won this year's Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, ahead of "The Hand of God."
FilmSeptember 11, 2021
Afghanistan - Graffiti

German artists call for support of Afghan colleagues

In an open letter, prominent figures from the culture sector asked the government to pledge action.
CultureSeptember 8, 2021
A portrait of Sahraa Karimi in front of a Venice Film Festival banner.

Afghan director to create film about her escape

Filmmaker Sahraa Karimi plans to dramatize her flight from Kabul. "Filmmakers do not realize their power," she told DW.
FilmSeptember 7, 2021
Sahraa Karimi at Venice Film Festival

Afghan artists at Venice Film Festival urge world support

The filmmakers warned Afghanistan is at risk of losing its identity, and appealed for the granting of refugee status.
CultureSeptember 5, 2021
78. Filmfestival von Venedig | Filmstill von "Spencer"

Highlights of the Venice Film Festival

There are 21 films competing for the Golden Lion, including a new work on Lady Di, "Spencer."
FilmAugust 31, 202111 images
Chloe Zhao

'Nomadland' takes first prize at Venice Film Festival

Chloe Zhao has become the first woman in 10 years to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
CultureSeptember 12, 2020
Vanessa Kirby at the Venice Film Festival

Venice Film Festival 2020 midway roundup

Vanessa Kirby, Greta Thunberg, Pedro Almodovar and a pandemic: DW's Scott Roxborough reports from the Venice festival.
CultureSeptember 7, 2020
A Golden Lion top prize

Venice Film Festival: What's been salvaged

The Venice Film Festival, marked by COVID-19, is featuring an astonishing diversity of films in competition.
FilmSeptember 2, 2020
A still from the movie Joker, showing Joaquin Phoenix in character

'Joker' wins best film at Venice Film Festival

The dark drama that details the transformation of one of Batman's most notorious villains got the top nod in Venice.
CultureSeptember 7, 2019
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle in Europe

Freediver Anna von Boetticher, a top restaurant in Venice, and the Tabernas Desert in Spain.
LifestyleAugust 31, 201926:06 min
DW Euromaxx | Restaurant Venedig

Venice’s Restaurant of the Stars

The Acquerello restaurant is a favorite with celebrities at the Venice Film Festival.
FilmAugust 31, 201903:55 min
Filmstill | «La Vérité (The Truth) von Regisseur Hirokazu Kore-eda | 76. Internationale Filmfestspiele Venedig

Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'The Truth' opens Venice Film Festival

Starring Juliet Binoche and Catherine Deneuve, the Japanese director's anticipated new film makes a splash at Venice.
CultureAugust 29, 2019
76. Internationale Filmfestspiele Venedig - Wettbewerbsfilme The Laundromat

Venice Film Festival 2019 highlights

Despite a highly international competition selection at Venice, only two women will feature films.
CultureAugust 27, 2019
Filmstill A Star Is Born 2018

'A Star is Born' in Lady Gaga

A singer is discovered just as another ends his career: the third remake of "A Star is Born" still offers great cinema.
CultureOctober 4, 2018
Alfonso Cuaron holding Golden Lion

Golden Lion goes to Cuaron's Roma

Alfonso Cuaron's win bolsters the reputation of streaming company Netflix as a major platform for art house cinema.
CultureSeptember 8, 2018
DW Euromaxx, Filmfestspiele in Venedig

Venice Film Festival kicks off

Twenty-one films are entered in the competition for the coveted Golden Lion.
LifestyleAugust 31, 201804:46 min
75. Filmfestival Venedig - The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Venice film festival slammed for 'toxic masculinity'

Netflix is a major player, and an impressive number of (male) star directors are in the competition.
FilmAugust 29, 2018
Ryan Gosling

First Man: Latest Ryan Gosling film to open at Venice

The Hollywood heartthrob plays astronaut Neil Armstrong in his new film, First Man, that will open the Venice film fest.
FilmJuly 20, 2018
USA Golden Globes 2018 | Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro to head Venice Film Festival jury

Winner of last year's Golden Lion, the director of "The Shape of Water" will return to Venice — as jury president.
FilmFebruary 12, 2018
DW Euromaxx 74. Filmfestspiele Venedig 2017

The 74th Venice Film Festival awards

The 74th annual Venice Film Festival featured a long list of outstanding performances competing for the top awards.
FilmSeptember 9, 20177 images
Director Guillermo Del Toro receives the Golden Lion for Best Film with the movie "The Shape of Water" during the award ceremony of the 74th Venice Film Festival

Venice Film Festival awards top prize

The world's oldest film festival has awarded the Golden Lion to a move that has a strong anti-discrimination message.
CultureSeptember 9, 2017
Annette Bening in American Beauty

Why Annette Bening is an ideal jury president in Venice

The down-to-earth and experienced star has what it takes to head the film festival's jury, writes DW's Jochen Kürten.
CultureAugust 30, 2017
Kristen Wiig and Matt Damon star in Alexander Payne's Downsizing

What to expect at the Venice Film Festival

Matt Damon stars in two of the competing films, and Ai Weiwei is running against George Clooney and Alexander Payne.
CultureAugust 30, 2017
Daniel Craig and Eva Green in Casino Royal

Memorable films set in Venice

Venice has served as the backdrop for the Venice Film Festival since 1932, but it's has also been a film star itself.
CultureAugust 30, 20177 images
DW Arts.21 Logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 10.09.2016

German films at the Venice Film Festival, confronting Germany's colonial past, and Iran's art scene
September 12, 2016
Paula Beer winning award in Venice, Copyright: Getty/AFP /M. Monteforte

Highlights of the 73rd Venice Film Festival awards

The Venice film festival's closing ceremony held on Saturday was filled with top stars. Here are some highlights.
September 10, 20169 images
Still: The Woman Who Left by Lav Diaz Copyright: 73rd Venice International Film Festival/Hazel

Venice's Golden Lion goes to Philippine film

The film festival's top award went to a challenging art house movie from the Philippines, a four-hour epic by Lav Diaz.
September 10, 2016
Scene from "La La Land" with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. (Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/StudioCana/D. Robinette)

Film Festival Opens - on DW News

Strong German presence in Venice
September 2, 2016
Opening Venice Film Festival - Italian writer Giancarlo De Cataldo, German actress Nina Hoss, US director Joshua Oppenheimer, US artist Laurie Anderson, director and president of the jury Sam Mendes, Venezuela's director Lorenzo Vigas, Chinese actress Zhao Wei, French actress Chiara Mastroianni, British actress Gemma Arterton, guest and Roberto Ando attending the festival opening with the 'La La Land' premiere at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016.

Venice Film Festival - on DW News

Star-studded festival opens
September 2, 2016
01.2012 DW Euromaxx

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Euromaxx

Venice film festival jury president, daily videos from a drone, Swiss gruyère cheese and trulli houses.
September 2, 2016
Wim Wenders, Copyright: picture-alliance/AP Photo/E. Ferrari/ANSA

Wim Wenders brings German cinema to Venice

German director Wim Wenders enters the competition to win a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
September 1, 2016
Sam Mendes during the shooting of James Bond "Spectre", Copyright: Sony Pictures

British director Sam Mendes head Venice Film Festival jury

Since his debut film "American Beauty," Sam Mendes has directed several blockbusters, including two James Bond films.
August 31, 2016
Filmstill "The beautiful days of Aranjuez" Copyright: (C) Neue Road Movies und Alfama Films

Venice Film Festival rolls out red carpet for celebrities

The world's oldest film festival welcomes filmstars from around the globe for the 73rd time.
August 31, 2016
Natalie Portman in Cannes, Copyright: Reuters/R. Duvignau

Portman, Gosling to shine at Venice Film Festival

The prestigious Venice Film Festival has announced a lineup of 20 films vying for a Golden Lion.
July 28, 2016