Venice Film Festival marks the end of summer in the most dazzling way, when golden light floods the lagoon and the city hums with anticipation. At the Lido, the red carpet hosts Hollywood stars, independent filmmakers, critics, and cinema lovers. It is the oldest film festival in the world, yet one of the most vibrant—constantly reinventing itself without ever losing its aura of charm. Like fine wine, cinema is shaped by time, by stories that mature, and by emotions meant to be shared. Two universal languages that, in Venice, find a truly unique meeting point.
A glimpse of history
The Venice Film Festival launched its first edition in 1932. The event pioneered cinema as an art form when people still saw it as mere entertainment.
The inaugural screening, Mamoulian’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, marked the beginning of an event that would soon become legendary.
Since then, countless iconic directors have walked its red carpet. Films that went on to make history received their first applause here, alongside unforgettable moments of glamour that shaped entire generations.
From the 1930s onward, parties, toasts, and convivial gatherings filled Venetian nights during the festival. Wine, with its ability to unite and celebrate, has always been part of the festival’s unofficial backdrop. It’s easy to picture directors raising a glass of Veneto wine while the lagoon reflected the glow of the first screenings under the stars.
The 2025 edition, the 82nd, promises a star-studded line-up including Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, Dwayne Johnson, and George Clooney. The festival will open with Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia and close with Cédric Jimenez’s Dog 51. Alexander Payne will chair the Jury.
Where the Venice Film Festival takes place
The beating heart of the Festival is the Lido of Venice, easily reached by vaporetto from the city center. The atmosphere comes alive at sunset, when the waterfront fills with crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of actors and directors arriving by boat.
One location more than any other embodies the festival’s blend of history, glamour, and conviviality: the terrace of the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido. It hosted the very first opening gala and remains the iconic setting for meetings, cocktails, press conferences, and private parties to this day. Watching the sun dip into the Adriatic from this terrace feels like stepping into a timeless postcard. No wonder filmmakers and guests raise legendary toasts here with sparkling Venetian wines, creating moments of style and culture.
Suppose you’re lucky enough to be in Venice during the festival. In that case, you’ll sense the city’s rhythm change: vaporettos filled with elegant attire, professionals moving briskly across the lagoon, and lights glowing late into the night, like a film scene that refuses to end.
Strolling through the quiet alleys after a screening, when the crowds disperse and the stone pathways recover their silence, is an experience that lingers in the heart.
For visitors without accreditation, single tickets can be purchased online—an opportunity to watch world premieres alongside an international audience. Even without attending the most exclusive screenings, the Lido has its own magic: sitting at a café, strolling down the Gran Viale, or watching TV crews capture the glamour for the world to see.
It’s an experience that blends everyday Venetian life with the uniqueness of an event that brings the entire world to the lagoon.
How to attend the Venice Film Festival 2025
Those who choose to experience the Venice International Film Festival are stepping into a one-of-a-kind event, equally captivating for film enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Here’s how to take part in the 2025 edition of La Biennale Cinema:
- Tickets: Single tickets and festival passes are available through the official Biennale website. It’s best to check the site regularly for updates on prices and purchasing procedures.
Direct link to Biennale Cinema 2025 ticketing - Professional and Student Accreditation: Film professionals, journalists, and university students can apply for accreditation to gain access to dedicated screenings and press conferences. Applications are managed directly on the official website.
- Film Program: The full line-up of films in competition and side sections can be viewed here Official Biennale Program
Where to experience the festival day and night
The Lido pulses with energy. Walking down the Gran Viale, you’ll immediately feel the buzz: queues outside theaters, laughter from the crowd gathered at the Palazzo del Cinema.
The Lion’s Bar, located right across from the red carpet, is the perfect spot to soak up the festival atmosphere over cocktails and Venetian cicchetti—open every morning until after midnight.
For a change of scenery, the Campari Lounge on the Biennale Terrace, overlooking the casino, offers an elegant, vibrant red setting, ideal for those who want to mingle in style.
How to get to the Lido
The Lido of Venice is a long, narrow island, easily accessible from the historic center.
- By vaporetto (public water bus, ACTV): Take Line 1 or 5.1/5.2 to Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta (20–30 minutes from San Marco). During the festival, Lines 6, 10, and 14 are also widely used.
- By water taxi: More expensive but undeniably scenic—perfect if you want to arrive like a movie star.
- By car or motorbike: Vehicles can be ferried over from Tronchetto via the ACTV Line 17 ferry boat, convenient if you plan to explore the Lido by bike or scooter.
Once you arrive, both the Palazzo del Cinema and the Hotel Excelsior are just a short walk from the terminal, easily reached along the Gran Viale.