The Venice International Film Festival, the world’s oldest film festival, is set to begin its 81st edition this Wednesday. Here’s what to know about the festival and the 2024 contenders:
WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL?
The festival kicks off on August 28 with the premiere of Tim Burton’s U.S. comedy horror “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” It runs until September 7, concluding with the Italian film “The American Backyard,” directed by Pupi Avati.
WHERE IS IT HELD?
The event takes place on the Venice Lido, a narrow barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon, known as the beach of Venice. Accessible by car, unlike the main city, the Lido is just a short boat trip away from Venice proper.
WHY IS IT SO CLOSELY WATCHED?
As the first major event of the awards season, the Venice Film Festival is known for debuting films that go on to be strong contenders at the Oscars. Notably, eight out of the last twelve Best Director Oscars were awarded to films that premiered at Venice. Emma Stone’s Best Actress Oscar win this year for “Poor Things” also traces back to her Venice premiere.
WHICH STARS WILL ATTEND?
The festival is expected to attract a star-studded lineup, including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Tilda Swinton, and Adrien Brody.
WHAT MOVIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE FESTIVAL?
The festival’s official selection includes several categories, with the most prestigious being those in competition for the Golden Lion award. This year, 21 films are in the running, including:
- Maria (Italy/Germany) – Directed by Pablo Larrain
- Kill The Jockey (Argentina/Spain) – Directed by Luis Ortega
- Babygirl (U.S.) – Directed by Halina Reijn
- Three Friends (France) – Directed by Emmanuel Mouret
- The Brutalist (UK) – Directed by Brady Corbet
- And Their Children After Them (France) – Directed by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma
- Battleground (Italy) – Directed by Gianni Amelio
Other notable selections include The Order (Canada) by Justin Kurzel, Joker: Folie A Deux (U.S.) by Todd Phillips, and Queer (Italy/U.S.) by Luca Guadagnino.
WHO LEADS THE COMPETITION JURY?
French actress Isabelle Huppert will preside over the main competition jury, joined by a diverse group of film industry figures including actors Zhang Ziyi and directors James Gray, Agnieszka Holland, Abderrahmane Sissako, and Giuseppe Tornatore.
ARE ANY BIG FILMS BEING SHOWN OUT OF COMPETITION?
The festival will also feature several high-profile films out of competition, such as Jon Watts’ Wolfs, Claude Lelouch’s Finalement, and Takeshi Kitano’s Broken Rage. Additionally, the festival will screen upcoming TV series, including Alfonso Cuaron’s thriller Disclaimer, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline.
