Learn about the details of the Venice Film Festival and its most prominent events in 2025.

The Venice Film Festival is one of the most prominent and prestigious film festivals in the world, representing a global platform for the seventh art, which blends authenticity and innovation. Held annually in the Italian city of Venice, it combines the glory of the past with the brilliance of modern art. Since its founding, it has maintained its position as a prestigious cinematic event that brings together the elite of filmmakers from around the world, becoming a symbol of artistic quality and cinematic excellence. Follow us to learn more details.

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Venice Film Festival The Venice Film Festival, known in Italian as Mostra International d'Arte Cinematografica di Venezia, is the oldest cinematic phenomenon in the world. It was founded in 1932 by the Italian politician Giuseppe Volpi and was known at the time as Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica di Venezia. Since its founding, the festival has been held annually in late August or early September on the picturesque island of Lido in Venice, Italy, bringing together an elite group of filmmakers and international talents in a unique showcase of the seventh art.

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Who are the most prominent honorees in the 2025 session? Herzog and Novak lead the scene. The organizers of the 2025 Venice International Film Festival have revealed the names of the figures who will be honored at this edition:

Werner Herzog German director and writer Werner Herzog will be honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 82nd edition of the festival, in recognition of his outstanding films such as Fitzcarraldo, The Wrath of God, Aguirre, and Nosferatu.

Kim Novak American actress Kim Novak will also be honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 82nd edition of the festival, in recognition of her contributions to notable works such as Picnic, Book, Candle, Belle, and Vertigo.

Where and when is the Venice Film Festival held this year? Find out the location and timing. The Venice International Film Festival is scheduled to open this year (2025) on August 27 and its screenings and activities will continue until September 6. The festival is organized every year by the Venice Biennale under the direction of Alberto Barbera and its activities will take place on the island of Lido di Venezia, an easily accessible destination by public and private transport. The festival’s film program will be revealed during the official press conference scheduled to be held in late July 2025 and will be broadcast live by the Venice Biennale channels.

Alexander Payne to chair 2025 festival jury Alexander Payne has been appointed president of the jury for the 82nd edition of the prestigious art event, where he will award the Golden Lion for Best Film, along with a number of other official prizes. One of America's most prominent directors, known for his films such as The Holdovers, Sideways, Nebraska, and The Descendants, Payne expressed his gratitude for his selection, saying, "It is a great honor to be president of the Venice Film Festival jury." He continued, "The most precious legacy is the Venice Film Festival, which has a history spanning nearly 100 years, honoring cinema as a fine art form, and I can't be more excited."

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Official Awards to be awarded at the 2025 Venice Film Festival At the closing ceremony of the Venice International Film Festival (on the evening of September 6, 2025), a jury headed by director Alexander Payne and including nine prominent figures in cinema and culture from around the world will award official prizes to the feature films participating in the competition. The prizes are:

Special Jury Award. Golden Lion Award for Best Film. Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Actress. Grand Jury Prize (Silver Lion). Best Screenplay Award. Best Director Award (Silver Lion). Volpi Cup for Best Actor. Volpi Award for Best Actress. Discover the most beautiful celebrity collectibles through Special, which showcases the most famous items owned by stars and celebrities around the world.

Number of sections of the official program of the Venice Film Festival 2025 The official program of the Venice International Film Festival 2025 includes several sections, including:

Venice 82. Outside the official competition. Horizonte. Venice Spotlight. Venice Immersive. Venice Classic. Independent and parallel sections, such as the International Critics' Week and Authors' Diaries, are subject to their own regulations.

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The Venice Film Festival is a focal point of the global cinema calendar, offering premieres, strong competition, and prestigious tributes to the most prominent creators in the art world.