The 82nd Venice International Film Festival opened on 27 August on the city’s Lido, launching an 11-day showcase that traditionally ushers in the global awards season. Stars including George Clooney, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton walked the red carpet as the world’s oldest film festival unveiled a 21-title competition slate. Italian director Paolo Sorrentino set the tone with the world premiere of “La Grazia”, a political drama that follows an Italian president in the final months of his mandate. Long-time collaborator Toni Servillo plays the lead opposite Anna Ferzetti. The picture is Sorrentino’s eighth collaboration with Servillo and will be released domestically in January 2026. The opening night glam­our was tempered by geopolitics. A collective of roughly 1,500 film-industry figures urged organisers to condemn Israel’s campaign in Gaza, and activists staged “Free Palestine” demonstrations near the venue with larger marches planned for the weekend. Festival director Alberto Barbera said Venice welcomes debate but will not bar Israeli participants, while jury president Alexander Payne remarked that films seldom change the world, yet serve as vital historical documents. Payne heads a jury that will decide the Golden Lion on 6 September. The main competition features new works from Yorgos Lanthimos, Noah Baumbach, Kathryn Bigelow and Kaouther Ben Hania. German auteur Werner Herzog accepted an honorary Golden Lion for lifetime achievement during the opening ceremony, with screen legend Kim Novak also receiving the festival’s top tribute.