Overview
- La Biennale published the full lineup on Thursday, July 23, 2026, confirming 20 films in official competition and a wide set of out‑of‑competition and collateral programs for the Sept. 2–12 festival at the Lido.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal will serve as president of the competition jury, and the festival has announced career Golden Lions for George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn.
- Danny Boyle’s Ink was named the festival opener, a placement likely to attract early industry attention for its awards and sales potential.
- Luca Guadagnino will screen a seven‑hour documentary about Bernardo Bertolucci titled Joie de vivre out of competition in the Venice Open — Films on Films strand.
- The competition mixes five Italian films, including Nanni Moretti’s return to Concorso, with new works by Werner Herzog, Hirokazu Kore‑eda, Lee Chang‑dong and Martin McDonagh, while commentators note fewer big Hollywood tentpoles than in past years and the possible effects on Venice’s role as an early awards‑season showcase.