Venice Film Festival Kicks Off Fall Film Season

• Dates: Aug 27–Sept 6, 2025 at the Lido di Venezia.
• Opening film: Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia premieres tonight.
• Jury president: Alexander Payne; opening press conference held today.
• Lifetime honors: Werner Herzog and Kim Novak receive Golden Lions.
• Venice kicks off the fall circuit ahead of Telluride (Aug 29) and TIFF (Sept 4).

Venice officially opens the fall film calendar today, rolling out red carpets and water-taxi arrivals on the Lido for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The event runs Aug 27–Sept 6 and bows with Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, a political-moral drama premiering in the Sala Grande as industry attention pivots to awards-season contender.

This year’s jury is led by Alexander Payne, who addressed press at the opening conference, while the festival will confer Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement honours on Werner Herzog and Kim Novak during the run. The Biennale’s program spans Competition, Orizzonti, and Spotlight selections, with starry premieres expected across the week.

As ever, Venice sets the tone for the season, with filmmakers and studios using early reactions to build momentum into North America’s stops: Telluride on Aug 29 and Toronto on Sept 4. By the time the gondolas give way to Colorado’s altitude and Toronto’s street queues, the shape of this year’s awards race will be clearer.