The 83rd Venice Film Festival kicks off this Wednesday on the Lido island with bringing major Hollywood stars, highly anticipated premieres, and several controversies to the world's oldest film festival. Running until September 12, the event remains a crucial international launchpad for the upcoming Oscars season.
Opening Film: Danny Boyle’s "Ink" a stage adaptation starring Guy Pearce as a young Rupert Murdoch will open the festival.
Star Power: George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn are set to receive lifetime achievement awards. Other expected attendees include Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Oasis's Noel and Liam Gallagher.
Oscar Contenders: Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy "Wild Horse Nine" and Florian Zeller’s psychological drama "Bunker" are currently leading the early awards buzz.
Documentaries: Alex Gibney's expansive four-hour investigation into Elon Musk ("Musk") and a feature tracking the Oasis 2025 reunion tour headline the non-fiction selections.
Festival Controversies
Geopolitical Tensions: Ukrainian officials have strongly protested the inclusion of Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s film "DAU," alleging it has ties to the Russian state. Festival director Alberto Barbera defended the selection with stating the film denounces totalitarianism. Separately, pro-Palestine groups are demanding boycotts of Israeli-linked entities at the event.
Gender Disparity: Out of 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion, May el-Toukhy’s "Woman Unknown" is the only entry directed by a woman highlighting the festival's ongoing failure to meet its own gender parity goals.
Actor and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal will preside over this year’s main competition jury with the final award winners scheduled to be announced on September 12.
