I’m standing on the Lido di Venezia, the salty Adriatic breeze mixing with the electric hum of a crowd that’s equal parts film royalty and curious travelers. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6, 2025, and it’s one of the most accessible major film festivals in the world for a regular person to attend. This guide covers the confirmed lineup, how tickets actually work, and what to expect if you’re planning to go — whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just want to see a red carpet once.
Yes, you can absolutely attend the Venice Film Festival as a regular tourist — but you need to plan around the ticketing system and be realistic about which screenings you’ll get into. The red carpets and outdoor atmosphere are free to enjoy, and that’s where most of the magic happens anyway.
Film lovers
Celebrity spotters
First-time festival goers
What to expect at the 82nd Venice Film Festival
The festival is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and takes place entirely on the Lido, a narrow island a short vaporetto ride from central Venice.
The main competition for the Golden Lion is the heart of the festival, but there are also sections like Orizzonti (for new trends) and out-of-competition screenings. The opening film for 2025 is Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia,” and the evening ceremony awarded Werner Herzog the Lifetime Achievement award from Francis Ford Coppola. Herzog’s latest documentary “Ghost Elephants” screened the following day.
Headliners this year include Julia Roberts and George Clooney, who are premiering the Netflix comedy “Jay Kelly” directed by Noah Baumbach. Emma Stone appears in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia,” and Jude Law plays Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ “The Wizard of the Kremlin.” Dwayne Johnson stars in Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine,” and Kathryn Bigelow has “A House of Dynamite” in the lineup.
Nonfiction fans should watch for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” by Kaouther Ben Hania, which won the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize at a previous festival. The secondary Orizzonti section opened with “Mother,” and the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker 2025 award goes to Julian Schnabel on September 3.
How tickets work for regular visitors
This is the part that confuses most people, so let me break it down based on what I’ve learned from attending and from the official La Biennale site.
There isn’t a single “festival pass” that gets you into everything. Instead, tickets are sold per screening, and they go on sale through the official La Biennale website roughly two weeks before the festival starts. The most sought-after screenings — opening night, major premieres with big casts — sell out within hours. Smaller competition films and Orizzonti screenings are much easier to get into.
Prices vary by screening and time of day. Evening galas and red carpet screenings cost more, while daytime and morning screenings are cheaper. You can buy tickets online and pick them up at the Palazzo del Cinema box office on the Lido. There’s also a limited number of same-day tickets released each morning, but you’ll need to queue early.
If you’re not set on a specific film, aim for the 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM screenings. They’re cheaper, less crowded, and often feature competition films that are excellent but don’t have A-list casts drawing crowds.
Red carpets and celebrity spotting without a ticket
You don’t need a ticket to see the stars — and honestly, this is where the festival feels most alive.
The red carpet area outside the Palazzo del Cinema is open to the public. You can stand behind the barriers and watch arrivals starting around 6:00 PM for evening premieres. The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed compared to Cannes or Hollywood events. Stars often stop to sign autographs and take selfies, especially for the smaller films.
For the biggest names — Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Emma Stone — expect crowds to form by mid-afternoon. The opening night red carpet for “La Grazia” and the “Jay Kelly” premiere will be the most packed. If you want a good spot, arrive by 3:00 PM at the latest and bring water and a hat. The Lido gets hot in late August.
The red carpet area can get uncomfortably crowded, especially for big premieres. If you’re short or bringing kids, consider watching from the side barriers near the Excelsior Hotel instead of directly in front of the Palazzo — better sightlines and less pushing.
Getting to the Lido and where to stay
The Lido is about a 15-minute vaporetto ride from St. Mark’s Square, but your choice of accommodation changes the experience significantly.
Most visitors stay in Venice proper and commute to the Lido each day. The vaporetto lines 1, 2, and 5.1 all serve the Lido, and during the festival, they run more frequently in the evenings. A single vaporetto ticket costs around €9.50, so if you’re going back and forth multiple times a day, a multi-day travel card makes sense.
Staying on the Lido itself is more convenient but more expensive during the festival. Hotels like the Excelsior and the Des Bains are right next to the festival venues, but they book up months in advance and prices triple. I’ve stayed in both Venice and the Lido, and honestly, I prefer Venice proper — the evening energy after the last screening is better, and you’re not trapped on a quiet island once the festival crowds go to bed.
The last vaporetto from the Lido to Venice usually runs around midnight. If you’re at a late screening or after-party, you’ll need a water taxi, which costs €60-100 depending on distance. Plan your evening schedule accordingly.
What to pack for the festival
The Lido in late August is warm and sunny during the day, but evenings cool down fast, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking between venues.
Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. The Palazzo del Cinema, the Casinò, and the various screening venues are spread out along the Lido’s main strip. I made the mistake of wearing sandals my first day and regretted it by 4:00 PM. A light jacket or sweater is essential for air-conditioned theaters and evening red carpets.
If you’re planning to film or photograph the experience, a compact camera with good low-light performance is worth bringing. The red carpet area gets dim as the sun sets, and phone cameras struggle. I’ve been using a small drone for overhead shots of Venice, but you cannot fly it anywhere near the festival venues — security is tight and the airspace is restricted during events.
Bring a portable charger. You’ll be using your phone for tickets, maps, and photos all day, and there aren’t many charging stations at the venues. I learned this the hard way when my phone died right before a screening and I had to scramble to find the box office with a paper confirmation.
Venice Film Festival: what’s worth it and what’s overrated
After attending parts of two festivals, I have strong opinions about where to spend your time and money.
The red carpet atmosphere is genuinely worth it, even if you never step inside a theater. The Lido transforms into this strange, glamorous beach town where you can grab a spritz at a café and watch a director walk past with their cast. The outdoor screenings at the Arena on the beach are free and open to everyone — they show classic films and some festival titles on a big screen under the stars. That’s the kind of experience you can’t replicate anywhere else.
The ticketed screenings, on the other hand, can be disappointing if you’re not strategic. The most hyped films — the ones with Oscar buzz — are nearly impossible to get into without accreditation or a press pass. I tried for “Bugonia” and “Jay Kelly” and struck out both times. But I walked into a 9:00 AM screening of a small Orizzonti film and ended up loving it more than anything I’d planned to see.
Before you go to the Venice Film Festival
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes, but only for screenings that haven’t sold out online. Same-day tickets go on sale at 9:00 AM at the Palazzo del Cinema box office. Queues start forming by 7:30 AM for popular films.
For the biggest premieres, online tickets sell out within hours of release. Don’t rely on walk-up availability for anything with a major star attached.
Is the festival kid-friendly?
It depends on the screening. Many films are rated for adult audiences, and the late hours make it tough for young children. The outdoor Arena screenings are more relaxed, and kids are common there.
The red carpet area can get crowded and loud, which overwhelmed my younger one. If you’re bringing children, aim for daytime screenings and arrive early for a spot at the side barriers where there’s more space.
What’s the biggest disappointment about the festival?
The gap between expectation and reality for ticketed screenings. The festival markets itself as accessible, but the most famous films are effectively reserved for industry and press. Regular visitors end up with the B-list screenings, which are still good but not what you imagined.
The other downside is cost. A single evening gala ticket can cost €50-80, and if you add travel, food, and accommodation, a weekend at the festival runs several hundred euros. It’s not a budget activity.
Do I need to speak Italian?
No. Most screenings are in their original language with Italian subtitles. English-language films are shown in English. Announcements and signage are bilingual.
That said, knowing basic Italian phrases helps at restaurants and when talking to locals. The festival staff at the box office and information desks speak English fluently.
When should I book accommodation?
As soon as the festival dates are announced — usually in July for the August-September event. Hotels on the Lido and in central Venice fill up fast, and prices double or triple during the festival.
I booked three months in advance and still paid 40% more than off-season rates. If you’re on a budget, consider staying in Mestre on the mainland and taking the train into Venice each day. It’s less glamorous but significantly cheaper.
Why the Venice Film Festival is worth the hassle
The Venice Film Festival isn’t a polished, frictionless experience. You’ll queue, you’ll miss screenings you wanted to see, and you’ll spend more money than you planned. But standing on the Lido at sunset, watching a director accept an award while the lagoon glows behind them, is one of those moments that reminds you why you travel in the first place. It’s messy, glamorous, and completely unique — and that’s exactly why I keep coming back. For more on navigating Venice during major events, check out my guide to booking ahead for Venice tours and travel tips.
Sources and further reading
Inquirer Entertainment. “Venice Film Festival lineup includes ‘Joker 2,’ films with Pitt, Clooney, Jolie, more.” 2024. 🔗
Inquirer Entertainment. “Venice Film Festival: Here are 10 movies to get excited about.” 2024. 🔗
Philstar Entertainment. “Venice Film Festival opens with star power and Gaza protesters.” 2025. 🔗
La Biennale di Venezia. “82nd Venice International Film Festival.” 2025. 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Venice Biennale’s Russian Pavilion Sparks Culture War Debate — A look at how art and politics collide at Venice’s other major cultural event, the Biennale.
Your Italy Road Trip Offers Tuscan Vineyards and Venice — How to combine a Venice visit with a road trip through Tuscany for a longer Italian vacation.
Venice’s Historic Fondaco Becomes a Luxury Shopping Hub — What to know about the newly reopened Fondaco dei Tedeschi if you’re shopping in Venice during the festival.
First-Timers Italy: Venice, Florence, and Rome — A broader Italy itinerary that includes Venice for travelers who want to see more than just the festival.