September is the first month of the year for many, and for others, the perfect time to start traveling. Without the pressure of the summer months, far from the crowds, crowded beaches, and excessive heat, September is the perfect time to take a vacation just as everyone else heads home. And if there's one city that changes its light in September, it's Venice.
The sun softens, the water reflects silvery flashes, and the air fills with an almost electric anticipation. It's the moment when the Lido ceases to be just a strip of sand between the sea and the lagoon and becomes the center of the film world. It is here that the 83rd Venice International Film Festival will come to life in 2026, scheduled for September 2-12, 2026 .
More than just an industry event for critics and industry insiders, the Lido Film Festival is a collective open-air ritual, a total experience where the lagoon becomes the natural setting par excellence.
During these ten days, the Liberty facades of Lungomare Marconi, the historic screening rooms and the piers lapped by the waves welcome visionary directors, iconic performers and thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world.
If you are planning a stay in Venice in September, or want to be enchanted by the unique atmosphere of the Festival, here is a complete guide to discover the magic of the event, the great protagonists of this edition, how to participate in the screenings and the advantages of choosing an apartment in the lagoon to experience the film festival.
The magic of cinema that comes from water
No film festival in the world possesses a visual magic comparable to that of Venice. The red carpet doesn't begin at the theater entrances, but rolls out directly onto the salty water: international stars arrive by water taxis and historic mahogany motorboats that ply the lagoon toward theHotel Excelsior, creating a setting unlike any other. Dark sunglasses, the sun illuminating the polished wood, and the late summer breeze create a suspended dimension, a true prelude to the magic of the theater.
Nowhere else is the host city both the setting and the protagonist of the opera itself: every glimpse of its streets and canals seems like a frame from an arthouse film. This year, the program also features many exciting new features.
The 83rd edition, led by artistic director Alberto Barbera, aims to focus on the Festival's poetic and visual identity, beginning with Manuele Fior's flamingos, the official image of the Festival, in which the typical birds of the lagoon and the Po Delta wade along the shore, evoking the sequence of frames from a film. This edition is packed with feature films of every genre, from the most experimental to blockbusters, and like every year, it offers travelers a dual experience: one in the most beautiful city in the world and one in the magic of cinema.
The protagonists and most anticipated films of the 2026 Venice Film Festival
This year's lineup brings together established masters, historic comebacks, and emotionally charged international productions. For a complete overview, you can download the official program.
On September 2nd the festival opens with Danny Boyle 's Ink , a bold work set in late 1960s London that chronicles the rise of the famous tabloid The Sun, with a cast led by Jack O'Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy.
But this edition also celebrates Nanni Moretti , 37 years after the premiere of Palombella rossa. Moretti returns to the competition with Succederà questa notte, based on the stories of Israeli writer Eshkol Nevo, starring Louis Garrel, Jasmine Trinca, and Angela Finocchiaro.
Werner Herzog is competing with Bucking Fastard, which brings to the screen the disturbing symbiotic bond of the Chaplin twins, played together for the first time on set by Rooney Mara and Kate Mara, alongside Orlando Bloom.
There will be the opportunity to see the couple Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, grappling with an ethical and psychological thriller focused on the construction of a survival shelter for a tech tycoon, and the increasingly promising Robert Pattinson with Primetime, a film directed by documentarian Lance Oppenheim that analyses the ethical ambiguity of television journalism and the vertigo of media success.
The most anticipated event, which will transform the Venice Film Festival into a concert, is undoubtedly the arrival of the Gallagher brothers for the documentary Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger by directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, which brings the explosive energy of Liam and Noel Gallagher's return to the stage to the Lido.
How to participate: tickets, venues, and screenings open to the public
The Biennale Cinema is a profoundly democratic event, accessible to film buffs and travelers alike. Tickets for individual screenings and day or evening passes can be purchased online on the official Biennale website.
The main halls are the PalaBiennale, the largest covered arena at the festival, ideal for film enthusiasts wishing to attend the grand evening previews of the official selection. Then there's the Sala Grande or the Sala Darsena, the monumental heart of the Palazzo del Cinema, where world premieres are held, in the presence of directors and cast. And finally there's the Sala Giardino, Sala Casinò , and Sala Corinto, ideal for exploring the Orizzonti, Venezia Classici, and documentary film sections.
If you'd like to see the stars on the red carpet, access to the outdoor area along the red carpet in front of the Great Hall is free. If you arrive early in the late afternoon, you can watch the stars parade, the photocall, and the autograph session.
Sleeping in Venice during the Venice Film Festival
Choosing to stay in Venice's historic center during the festival offers the perfect combination of the liveliness of the Lido and the authentic tranquility of lagoon life.
Staying in an apartment in Venice allows you to move around with maximum flexibility, organizing your day between morning screenings, afternoons dedicated to discovering quiet squares, and nighttime returns by vaporetto lulled by the lights of the lagoon.
Sestieri such as Castello and Cannaregio, well connected to the piers for the Lido, represent an ideal strategic base for those who wish to experience the cinematic event without giving up the charm and intimate comfort of a true Venetian residence.
If you'd like a tailor-made experience for the Venice Film Festival, you can discover the available options and book your ideal accommodation directly on our portal.
