Key Takeaways
Pedro Almodóvar's The Room Next Door wins the Golden Lion, his first major Venice prize for his English-language debut starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Brady Corbet's The Brutalist wins the Silver Lion for Best Direction and the Best Actor award for Adrien Brody's monumental performance. Joker: Folie à Deux divides critics as the most polarizing competition entry. Walter Salles returns with I'm Still Here, a powerful Brazilian political drama that earns the Best Screenplay award.
Venice 2026 Competition
The Room Next Door
Almodóvar's first English-language feature tells the story of two friends reunited by terminal illness, a meditation on death, friendship, and art.
The Brutalist
A Hungarian-Jewish architect flees postwar Europe to rebuild his life and artistic vision in America, in this sweeping 3.5-hour epic.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Arthur Fleck awaits trial for his crimes while falling in love with a fellow Arkham patient, Lee Quinzel, in this musical sequel.
Queer
An adaptation of William S. Burroughs' novella following an American expat in 1950s Mexico City consumed by an unrequited obsession.
Maria
Angelina Jolie delivers a transformative performance as Maria Callas in the final days of the legendary opera singer's life in 1970s Paris.
Babygirl
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with a much younger intern.
April
A Georgian gynecologist secretly performing abortions faces an investigation that threatens her life and practice.
I'm Still Here
The true story of a Rio de Janeiro family torn apart by Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1970s, told through the eyes of the matriarch.
Wolfs
George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunite as rival fixers who are forced to work together on a job gone wrong.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 classic brings back Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder for another journey into the afterlife.
Familiar Touch
A poignant exploration of an 80-year-old woman's transition to an assisted living facility as she navigates memory loss and identity.
Happy Holidays
Interconnected stories in Haifa explore betrayal, identity, and the weight of tradition across Palestinian and Israeli communities.
Venice 2026 Prize Winners
The Room Next Door
Pedro Almodóvar — A moving meditation on mortality and friendship that marks the Spanish master's triumphant English-language debut.
Vermiglio
Maura Delpero — A luminous portrait of life in a remote Italian mountain village during the final days of World War II.
The Brutalist
Brady Corbet — Masterful direction of a towering 3.5-hour epic about art, ambition, and the immigrant experience.
April
Dea Kulumbegashvili — An unflinching Georgian drama about bodily autonomy and institutional control.
The Brutalist
Adrien Brody — A career-defining performance as László Tóth, the visionary architect haunted by his past.
I'm Still Here
Walter Salles, Murilo Hauser — A deeply personal script bringing a crucial chapter of Brazilian history to devastating life.
Venice Buzz Board
The films making waves on the Lido, ranked by critical reception and awards potential.
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What is the Golden Lion at Venice?
The Golden Lion (Leone d'Oro) is the highest prize at the Venice Film Festival, awarded to the best film in Competition. Past winners include Nomadland, Joker, Roma, The Shape of Water, and Brokeback Mountain. The Golden Lion has become an increasingly reliable predictor of Oscar success.
When is the Venice Film Festival 2026?
The Venice Film Festival 2026 runs from August 27 to September 6, 2026, on the Lido island in Venice, Italy. It is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and takes place at the historic Palazzo del Cinema.
Can the public attend the Venice Film Festival?
Yes, unlike Cannes, the Venice Film Festival sells individual tickets to the general public. Tickets for most screenings can be purchased online or at the box office on the Lido. Gala premieres require accreditation, but the vast majority of films are accessible to any ticket buyer. Visit our Festival Guides for tips.
Why is Venice important for Oscar campaigns?
Venice sits at the very start of awards season in late August/early September, making it the first major festival where Oscar contenders are unveiled. Recent Golden Lion winners Nomadland and Poor Things both went on to dominate the Oscars. The festival's prestige and critical mass of international press make it the ideal launchpad.
What is the oldest film festival in the world?
The Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world, established in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale. It predates Cannes (1946) and Berlin (1951). The festival has been held annually on the Lido island, with only a brief interruption during World War II.