The 83rd Venice Film Festival opened on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, bringing global stars, major premieres, and high-profile parties to the Lido. Running through September 12, the 11-day event kicked off with Danny Boyle’s Ink and George Clooney receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Hollywood’s elite descended upon the canals and palazzos for the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival, establishing the historic Italian event as a major focal point for both cinema and fashion. Established in 1932, then a non-competitive event, by the La Biennale di Venezia, hosting films like “Grand Hotel” and It Happened One Night,
the festival runs through September 12, culminating in the announcement of awards across its competitive slates. The 11-day event, which runs from September 2 to September 12, will host the world premieres of some of the year’s most anticipated films.
Star-Studded Premieres and Jury Leadership
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Danny Boyle
Maggie Gyllenhaal is serving as jury president for the main competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The 2026 Venice Film Festival got underway on Wednesday, September 2, with Oscar-winning English director Danny Boyle’s Ink — starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy — kicking off an 83rd edition that includes films starring the likes of Robert Pattinson, Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem, Jack Huston & Sofia Boutella, Dakota Johnson, John Malkovich & Sam Rockwell, Alicia Vikander & Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte and Kate & Rooney Mara in their first movie together. Along with Ink, this year’s competition lineup includes such buzzy titles seeking awards-season glory as Florian Zeller’s Bunker, Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love, Andrea Pallaoro’s The Echo Chamber, and Casey Affleck’s Company.
Glittering Galas and High Fashion on the Lagoon
Cartier Cinema Club Launch at Gritti Palace
Beyond the screenings, the festival’s social calendar drew intense attention. On Friday night, a glittering cast of film and fashion talents elegantly made their way onto the dock of the Gritti Palace from an army of grumbling water taxis, ready to celebrate Cartier’s fifth year as main sponsor of the Venice Film Festival—and the launch of the fine jewelry house’s brand-new Cartier Cinema Club, with guests including Emma Corrin, Kate Mara, Orlando Bloom, and Taylor Russell. All eyes, however, were on Amal Clooney, who arrived in a blazing red draped chiffon gown paired with an eye-popping chrysoprase, coral, and diamond Cartier pendant necklace. Before heading to the bar, she stopped to chat with Vogue about her time at the festival with her husband, George Clooney, who received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award on Wednesday night.
Pamela Anderson at amfAR Gala Venezia
Fashion moments dominated the red carpets and private events. The 59-year-old actress Pamela Anderson has been on a technicolor tear at the 83rd Venice Film Festival, where she’s promoting her new film “Place to Be.” Since Friday, she’s served up four looks in as many days across cocktail parties, gala carpets and photo ops, making waves on the Lido at every turn. Sunday’s amfAR Gala Venezia saw the 59-year-old actress in a custom Calvin Klein Collection gown in electric pumpkin orange. Hairstylist John Nollet curled her platinum blond hair into Old Hollywood waves for the benefit. Anderson accepted the amfAR Award of Courage.
Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson and partner Suki Waterhouse enjoyed a date night in contrasting yet complementary outfits; Brooklyn Beckham showed off a new look, and Phoebe Bridgers made a statement in a chic two-piece by day and a sheer gown by night. Nina Dobrev, in town for Danny Boyle’s drama Ink, barely had time to let her glittering Armani look have its moment as she was rushed off the red carpet in a since-viral encounter. Sydney Sweeney walked the red carpet in a completely sheer dress, while Brittany Snow turned heads in a black dress with a plunging neckline. Kendall Jenner arrived in an archival Armani gown.
Lifetime Honors and Industry Debates
George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn
The festival also turned its focus toward lifetime achievement. George Clooney may be at the Venice Film Festival to receive a lifetime achievement award, but he didn’t dwell just on memories and nostalgia on Wednesday. Before the award ceremony, which he attended with wife Amal Clooney, the 65-year-old actor and director addressed issues such as the artificial intelligence revolution in Hollywood and the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, and the state of journalism and power in America. There’s a great word, kakistocracy, which is a country run by the least qualified people,
Clooney said. I think maybe we have a kakistocracy right now. But we’ll get through it.
Of artificial intelligence, Clooney said that his industry is going to have to find ways to survive, and that he would “like to avoid being in a tampon commercial.” Ellen Burstyn and George Clooney will each be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Place to Be stars Pamela Anderson along with Ellen Burstyn, Taika Waititi, Murray Bartlett and David Wenham.”
