What to expect
The Venice International Film Festival, also known as Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica di Venezia, is the oldest film festival in the world, founded in 1932 and held as part of La Biennale di Venezia. It is one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals and is considered one of the Big Three alongside Cannes and Berlin. The festival’s principal awards are the Leone d’Oro, Golden Lion, awarded to best film, and Coppa Volpi, Volpi Cup, awarded to best actor and actress.
You can expect world premieres in Competition, Out of Competition, Orizzonti, Orizzonti Extra, Venice Classics, and Venice Immersive sections, with red carpet premieres at Sala Grande, press conferences, masterclasses, and industry events at Venice Production Bridge. The festival takes place on Lido di Venezia, a narrow barrier island separating Venetian Lagoon from Adriatic Sea, with historic Palazzo del Cinema as heart of event. The atmosphere combines glamour, cinema history, and lagoon setting, where stars walk red carpet steps from Hotel Excelsior.
The festival also extends to nearby venues including Palazzo del Casinò, PalaBiennale, Sala Giardino, and Venice Immersive Island at Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio.
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Festival dates
Period: August or September 2027 – Dates TBD – 84th Venice International Film Festival
Duration: 11 days – typical format from early September with opening night and closing awards night
Edition: 84th edition following 83rd edition held September 2 to 12, 2026
Schedule release: Screening schedule typically available on website from mid-August and in official programme handed out with accreditation badge
Official site: https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2026 – reference site for 2026 edition, with 2027 dates to be confirmed on same domain
Contact: +39 041 5218711, email info@labiennale.org, La Biennale di Venezia, Ca’ Giustinian, San Marco 1364/A
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Venues & festival locations
Main venue cluster: Lido di Venezia, Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi – Palazzo del Cinema, historic rationalist building built in 1932, housing Sala Grande with over 1,032 seats, Zorzi 48 seats and Pasinetti 119 seats theatres, true heart of event.
Additional Lido venues: Palazzo del Casinò for screenings and industry, PalaBiennale for large public screenings, Sala Giardino for Orizzonti and special events, plus outdoor areas and red carpet area outside Palazzo del Cinema.
Venice Immersive Island: Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio, Venice Immersive Island, accessible via dedicated boat service, hosting Venice Immersive section projects, Exhibition Areas and free access conferences organized by Venice Production Bridge.
Venice city venues: Ca’ Giustinian headquarters for accreditation, press, and historical archive, plus occasional screenings at Arsenale and other Biennale venues.
Services for public: Festival catalogue point, merchandising, bar areas, and shuttle buses between venues till late at night on Lido.
Full programme
Competition – Venezia 84: International feature films in competition for Golden Lion, with world premieres, red carpet gala screenings in Sala Grande, and jury led by internationally renowned filmmaker.
Out of Competition: Major studio previews, documentaries, and special screenings including opening and closing films.
Orizzonti: Section dedicated to new trends in world cinema, with feature and short films competing for Orizzonti awards.
Orizzonti Extra: Audience-focused section with additional premieres.
Venice Classics: Restored classics and documentaries about cinema history.
Venice Immersive: XR, VR and immersive projects at Lazzaretto Vecchio Island, accessible to all accreditation holders and via dedicated Venice Immersive accreditation.
Biennale College Cinema: Micro-budget feature projects developed through Biennale training programme, presented during festival.
Special events: Masterclasses, conversations, book presentations, and exhibitions related to cinema.
Featured films & premieres
The programme typically includes around 80 to 90 feature films plus shorts and immersive projects. While 2027 lineup will be announced closer to festival, previous editions have featured world premieres of major auteurs, American studio launches for awards season, and discovery of emerging voices.
You can expect opening night world premiere in Competition directed by leading director, closing film, and highly anticipated US and international productions seeking Golden Lion. Orizzonti section highlights innovative narratives from Asia, Latin America, Europe and Middle East. Venice Classics presents restored masterpieces from global archives.
Venice Immersive selection includes around 30 immersive experiences available upon reservation only via dedicated booking platform, showcasing cutting-edge storytelling.
Directors, actors & guests
The festival hosts international directors, actors, producers, and jury members. Past editions have welcomed jury presidents such as internationally acclaimed filmmakers, and guests including winners of Volpi Cup for best actor and actress.
You can expect red carpet appearances by stars arriving from Hotel Excelsior steps to Palazzo del Cinema, with fans gathering along barriers. Press conferences at Casinò feature directors and cast. Industry guests include members of Giornate degli Autori and Settimana Internazionale della Critica – Venice Critics Week.
Film Delegation accreditation is service offered by Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia guaranteeing best possible stay in Venice to its guests, including directors, actors and producers of selected films.
Screening schedule
Screening schedule is available on website from mid-August and in official programme handed out with accreditation badge. Screenings run from morning 9 AM to late night 10 PM across multiple venues.
Typical day structure: Morning press and industry screenings at Sala Grande and Sala Darsena, afternoon public screenings at PalaBiennale and Sala Giardino, evening red carpet galas at Sala Grande, late night screenings at Sala Giardino and Casinò.
Venice Immersive: Projects viewable upon reservation only via dedicated booking platform on Lazzaretto Vecchio Island throughout festival.
Access: Access to screening rooms only possible by showing accreditation and reservation. Entry will not be permitted once screening has started.
Ticket types & accreditation
Cinema Accreditation – Full Festival: Valid for entire duration of festival. Provides access to screening rooms upon reservation, discount on cover price of Film Festival catalogue, discount on tickets to International Art Exhibition Giardini and Arsenale. Categories include general, press, industry.
Student Accreditation: Valid for entire duration, for students with verification, with reduced pricing.
Venice Immersive Accreditation: Digital accreditation intended for audience over 18 years, offers access to projects of Venice Immersive section at Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio, access to Exhibition Areas and free access conferences organized by Venice Production Bridge. Available in three formats – 2 days $43 USD corresponding to EUR 40, 11 days $108 USD corresponding to EUR 100.
Public Passes and Individual Tickets: Public pass $75 USD to $108 USD corresponding to EUR 70 to EUR 100, individual film tickets $11 USD to $27 USD corresponding to EUR 10 to EUR 25 for public screenings at PalaBiennale. Original ticket price on TicketSwap reference EUR 15.
Film Delegation Accreditation: Valid for entire duration, service for guests including best possible stay, reserved for film teams.
Pricing in USD: Festival Accreditation $75 USD to $486 USD corresponding to EUR 70 to EUR 450 – Public pass $75 to $108 vs industry and press $270 to $486, book early online. Accommodation per night $86 to $432 USD corresponding to EUR 80 to EUR 400 plus – Lido hotels $162 to $432, Venice B&Bs $86 to $162, prices triple during festival. Premium experience packages with red carpet walk and hospitality up to $3240 USD per person corresponding to GBP 3000.
Portal fees excluded. Tickets available via La Biennale di Venezia from mid-August.
Industry & professional access
Venice Production Bridge: Industry market and networking hub at Hotel Excelsior and Casinò, hosting conferences, panels, and meetings for producers, sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. Free access conferences organized on Immersive Island by Production Bridge accessible to accreditation holders.
Accreditation benefits: Discount on catalogue, access to industry screenings, meeting areas, and video library. Venice Immersive selection accessible to all festival accreditation pass holders.
Industry screenings: Dedicated market screenings for buyers and press, with scheduling via festival platform.
Networking events: Daily industry breakfasts, co-production meetings, and awards such as Book Adaptation Rights Market.
Red carpet & special events
Red carpet location: Outside Palazzo del Cinema on Lungomare Marconi, with barrier areas for public viewing. You don’t need ticket or accreditation to see red carpet – you need to know where to stand and to get there early, as photographed by local photographers since 2014.
Opening and closing ceremonies: Held in Sala Grande with live broadcast to other venues.
Parties and receptions: Hotel Excelsior terrace hosts nightly parties, brand events, and award celebrations including Campari and Armani events.
Photocall and press conferences: At Palazzo del Casinò with live streaming.
Special award ceremonies: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and other honorary awards presented during festival.
Festival rules
Accreditation and reservation: Access to screening rooms only possible by showing accreditation and reservation. Screening schedule available from mid-August.
Age restriction: Venice Immersive accreditation intended for audience over 18 years.
Entry: Entry will not be permitted once screening has started. Tickets and accreditation not refundable.
Dress code: Gala screenings require formal attire – cocktail dress or suit. Other screenings smart casual.
Photography: No photography or recording inside screening rooms. Red carpet photography allowed from public areas.
Reservation system: Viewing of immersive experiences available upon reservation only via dedicated booking platform.
General rules: Follow Biennale regulations, respect venues, no smoking inside theatres.
How to get there
Location: Lido di Venezia, Palazzo del Cinema, Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi, Venice, Italy.
From Venice city: From Piazzale Roma and from Station by vaporetto to Lido di Venezia you arrive with 3 daytime vaporetto ACTV lines and night N line. Main connections to reach Venice Film Festival Lido from Venice.
From airports: Marco Polo Airport – Alilaguna water bus or land bus to Piazzale Roma then vaporetto to Lido. Treviso Airport – bus to Piazzale Roma then vaporetto.
By car: Park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto car parks, then vaporetto to Lido.
On Lido: When you arrive on Lido, buses will take you to different venues till late at night, connecting Palazzo del Cinema, Casinò, PalaBiennale, Sala Giardino.
Public transport & parking
Public transport: ACTV vaporetto lines 1, 5.1, 5.2, 6, and N night line serve Lido. From Piazzale Roma / Ferrovia to Lido. Lido bus lines A, B, C, V circulate between festival venues.
Water bus to Immersive Island: Dedicated shuttle boat service from Lido or Venice to Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio for Venice Immersive accreditation holders.
Parking: Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma car parks on mainland Venice, with rates increasing during festival. No car access on Lido for non-residents beyond festival shuttles.
Tickets: ACTV travel cards and tourist passes available, with festival offering discounted transport for accreditation holders.
Accommodation areas
Lido di Venezia – Most convenient: Hotels within walking distance of Palazzo del Cinema, including Hotel Excelsior, Hotel des Bains, and boutique hotels on Lungomare Marconi. Lido hotels $162 to $432 USD per night, prices triple during festival, book early online.
Venice historic centre: B&Bs $86 to $162 USD per night, with vaporetto commute to Lido. Areas San Marco, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro offer variety.
Mestre and Marghera mainland: More affordable options $86 to $130 USD per night with bus to Piazzale Roma then vaporetto.
Booking tip: Book early online as accommodation triples during festival and availability becomes limited. Industry accreditation often includes hotel assistance via Biennale.
Food & dining
Lido area: Restaurants and bars along Lungomare Marconi and Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta serve seafood, cicchetti, and quick bites for festival goers. Hotel Excelsior restaurants host industry lunches.
Palazzo del Casinò: Catering and bar for accreditation holders during day.
Venice city: Wide range from bacari for cicchetti to fine dining in San Marco and Cannaregio. Reservations essential during festival.
Street food: Quick options near venues for between screenings.
Special events: Festival parties include catering and sponsored bars.
Accessibility
Palazzo del Cinema: Accessible with elevators and reserved wheelchair spaces. Theatres can accommodate limited number of disabled persons in wheelchairs. Applicants who require such seat must send request to booking@labiennale.org indicating possible presence of certified companion up to 48 hours before screening. Requests accepted based on availability of reserved seats.
Lido transport: Vaporetto and Lido buses accessible with ramps.
Venice Immersive Island: Accessible via boat with assistance, with accessible viewing stations for immersive projects.
General assistance: Persons accompanying disabled visitors benefit from free admission and reduced tickets upon presentation of relevant certification. Persons with certified disability may benefit from reduced ticket $19.50 USD corresponding to EUR 18 at Ca’ Giustinian ticket office upon presentation of certification.
Best screenings to attend
Opening night Gala – Sala Grande: World premiere with full red carpet, cast and crew present, most glamorous event.
Competition evening screenings – Sala Grande: Prime slots for Golden Lion contenders, with red carpet and press buzz.
Orizzonti premieres – Sala Darsena: Discovery section with innovative cinema and emerging directors.
Venice Immersive – Lazzaretto Vecchio: Exclusive VR and immersive experiences, bookable upon reservation, offering future of storytelling.
PalaBiennale public screenings: Large public audience screenings with more relaxed atmosphere and lower ticket prices, ideal for cinephiles.
Previous year’s highlights
2026 edition reference: 83rd Venice International Film Festival ran September 2 to 12, 2026 on Lido di Venezia, with screenings at Palazzo del Cinema, Palazzo del Casinò, Palabiennale, Sala Giardino, and outdoor areas. Online ticket sales from mid-August via La Biennale di Venezia.
Awards: Golden Lion for best film, Silver Lion awards, Volpi Cup for best actor and actress, Orizzonti awards, and Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement presented during festival.
Public and industry mix: Festival accreditation valid for entire duration, with access to screening rooms only possible by showing accreditation and reservation. Cinema accreditation also allowed discount on Film Festival catalogue and discount on Art Exhibition tickets. Venice Immersive selection accessible to all accreditation holders, with 2-days and 11-days formats.
Red carpet accessibility: You don’t need ticket or accreditation to see red carpet – you need to know where to stand and to get there early, as documented by local photographers since 2014. Festival remains centred on Lido and Palazzo del Cinema area, with buses taking visitors to different venues till late at night.
Official tickets & accreditation
Official site: https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2026 – for 2026 edition reference, with 2027 accreditation opening similarly from mid-August.
Ticket types in USD: Festival Accreditation $75 to $486 USD corresponding to EUR 70 to EUR 450, Public pass $75 to $108 USD corresponding to EUR 70 to EUR 100, Individual Film Tickets $11 to $27 USD corresponding to EUR 10 to EUR 25, Venice Immersive 2-days $43 USD corresponding to EUR 40, 11-days $108 USD corresponding to EUR 100, Original ticket price reference $16 USD corresponding to EUR 15. Accommodation $86 to $432 plus per night, Lido hotels $162 to $432 plus.
Sales: Tickets available via La Biennale di Venezia from mid-August, online at www.labiennale.org, ticket offices open one hour before concert at show venue.
Contact: Tel +39 041 5218711, email info@labiennale.org, La Biennale di Venezia, Ca’ Giustinian, San Marco 1364/A, Venice.
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FAQ
How long does Venice Film Festival last and what are main venues?
The festival lasts 11 days with screenings from morning to late night across Lido venues. Main venue is historic Palazzo del Cinema on Lungomare Marconi housing Sala Grande with over 1032 seats plus Zorzi and Pasinetti theatres, plus Palazzo del Casinò, PalaBiennale and Sala Giardino. Venice Immersive section is at Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio accessible via dedicated boat, and Ca' Giustinian in San Marco serves as headquarters for accreditation and archive.
How can public attend without accreditation?
Public can buy public pass 70 to 100 euros and individual film tickets 10 to 25 euros for screenings at PalaBiennale and other public venues, with advance booking essential for popular titles and tickets available via La Biennale from mid-August. You don't need ticket or accreditation to see red carpet outside Palazzo del Cinema, you need to know where to stand and get there early. Entry to screening rooms requires accreditation and reservation and entry not permitted once screening started.
What is Venice Immersive and how do I book?
Venice Immersive is XR and VR section at Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio showcasing around 30 immersive projects, accessible to all festival accreditation pass holders and via dedicated Venice Immersive accreditation for audience over 18 years. Accreditation available in 2-days 40 euros and 11-days 100 euros formats, offering access to projects, exhibition areas and free conferences organized by Venice Production Bridge. Viewing of experiences available upon reservation only via dedicated booking platform.
How do I get to Lido and move between venues?
From Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia Station, three daytime vaporetto ACTV lines plus night N line go to Lido di Venezia, with Lido bus lines A, B, C, V taking visitors to different venues till late at night. Alilaguna water bus connects airports to Lido via Venice. Parking at Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma on mainland, then vaporetto to Lido. Car not usable within Venice historic centre and no car access on Lido for non-residents beyond festival shuttles.
What awards are given at Venice Film Festival?
Principal awards are Leone d'Oro Golden Lion awarded to best film screened at festival and Coppa Volpi Volpi Cup awarded to best actor and actress. Additional awards include Silver Lion for Best Director, Grand Jury Prize, Special Jury Prize, Orizzonti awards for new trends, Venice Classics awards, and Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Awards presented at closing ceremony in Sala Grande with jury led by internationally renowned filmmaker.
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