Venice Film Festival 2026 has revealed its official lineup, bringing together new films from internationally recognized directors and appearances by George Clooney, Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz and other prominent figures ahead of the festival’s September edition in Venice, Italy.
Key Takeaways
- Venice Film Festival announced its 2026 official film lineup.
- George Clooney, Robert Pattinson and Penélope Cruz are among the featured stars.
- New films from Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Florian Zeller and Werner Herzog will compete or premiere.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal will chair the festival’s main competition jury.
- The festival is scheduled to run from September 2 to September 12, 2026.
The Venice Film Festival 2026 has announced its official selection for this year’s event, confirming a lineup that combines new films from acclaimed international directors with appearances by some of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars. The festival will take place in Venice, Italy, from September 2 to September 12 and will feature competition titles, world premieres and special screenings across its schedule.
Venice Film Festival 2026 Announces Official Competition Lineup
Festival organizers confirmed that the main competition will feature 20 films competing for the Golden Lion. The selection includes new projects from Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Florian Zeller, Werner Herzog and Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Festival director Alberto Barbera announced the official lineup after organizers reviewed a record number of submissions for this year’s edition. The festival will continue its traditional format of presenting international competition titles alongside out-of-competition premieres and documentary screenings, similar to other major events that have recently announced their first wave festival lineup.
The opening film will be Ink, directed by Danny Boyle. The feature stars Guy Pearce portraying media executive Rupert Murdoch and will launch the festival’s official activities on September 2.
Among the competition entries is Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy Wild Horse Nine, featuring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Parker Posey.
Florian Zeller will premiere Bunker, bringing Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem together in leading roles. Werner Herzog will introduce Bucking Fastard, starring sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara.
Only one of the 20 competition films is directed by a woman. Danish filmmaker May El-Toukhy will compete with her drama Woman Unknown.
George Clooney, Robert Pattinson and Penélope Cruz Join Festival Schedule
The festival’s schedule includes appearances from several internationally recognized actors expected to attend premieres and official events.
George Clooney is set to participate during the festival and will receive a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Veteran actress Ellen Burstyn will also receive the same honor during the event.
Robert Pattinson stars in Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim. The film follows a journalist who becomes involved in a criminal underworld and is scheduled to premiere during the festival.
Penélope Cruz returns to Venice with Bunker, appearing alongside Javier Bardem in Florian Zeller’s latest feature.
Additional performers connected to films in the lineup include John Malkovich, Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, Parker Posey, Casey Affleck and Guy Pearce.
The official jury overseeing the main competition will be chaired by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is also scheduled to present her short film Flash Impact, inspired by the mythology surrounding Marilyn Monroe. Recent developments involving Millie Bobby Brown’s latest Netflix film also reflect the continued presence of high-profile stars across major film releases this season.
Martin McDonagh and Acclaimed Directors Debut New Films
Competition Titles Confirmed
Martin McDonagh returns to Venice with Wild Horse Nine, continuing a relationship with the festival that includes previous premieres of his feature films.
Danny Boyle’s Ink has been selected as the festival opener, while Florian Zeller’s Bunker and Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard strengthen the international competition lineup.
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is also among the filmmakers competing for the Golden Lion, joining a field that spans multiple countries and filmmaking styles.
The competition presents new work from directors whose films have previously received international festival recognition and major industry awards.
Special Screenings and Premieres
Outside the main competition, the festival will host additional premieres featuring established filmmakers and documentary creators.
Casey Affleck will present his third feature as director, the gothic mystery Company.
The lineup also includes Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim and starring Robert Pattinson, expanding the festival’s schedule beyond the official competition.
These screenings will run alongside the competition throughout the festival’s September program.
Documentary Premieres Expand the Festival Program
The documentary section includes several high-profile premieres connected to music, business and fashion.
Don’t Look Back in Anger, a documentary centered on Oasis and the relationship between brothers Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, will receive its world premiere outside competition. The film also examines the band’s 2025 reunion tour.
Actor Russell Crowe will present What Love Builds, a documentary focused on music.
Director Alex Gibney will debut an extensive documentary examining entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Italian director Francesco Carrozzini will introduce Be Brave, a documentary about Diesel founder Renzo Rosso. Festival organizers confirmed the production was created almost entirely using artificial intelligence.
These documentary premieres expand the festival beyond narrative cinema by incorporating music, fashion and contemporary cultural subjects into the overall schedule. The broader mix of features and documentaries reflects the role festivals continue to play in presenting new productions, including award-winning independent drama releases.
Jury Leadership and Festival Dates Confirmed
The Venice Film Festival will run from September 2 through September 12, bringing filmmakers, actors and industry professionals to Venice for ten days of screenings and official events.
Maggie Gyllenhaal will serve as jury president for the main competition, leading the panel responsible for selecting this year’s Golden Lion winner and other major awards.
George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn will each receive Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of their contributions to cinema.
Festival organizers also confirmed that official activities will include competition screenings, documentary premieres, special presentations and red-carpet appearances from cast members connected to the selected films.
The announcement establishes the complete framework for the festival ahead of its September opening, with competition titles, special screenings and honorary awards now confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What films are included in the Venice Film Festival 2026 lineup?
The lineup includes new films from Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Florian Zeller, Werner Herzog, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Casey Affleck, Lance Oppenheim, Alex Gibney and Francesco Carrozzini, along with documentaries and special screenings.
Which celebrities are expected to attend Venice Film Festival 2026?
George Clooney, Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, John Malkovich, Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Guy Pearce and several other cast members connected to the selected films are expected to participate.
Which directors have new films premiering at Venice Film Festival 2026?
Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Florian Zeller, Werner Herzog, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Casey Affleck, Lance Oppenheim, Alex Gibney and Francesco Carrozzini all have projects scheduled for the festival.
Who is leading the Venice Film Festival 2026 jury?
Filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal will chair the main competition jury for the 2026 edition of the festival.
When will Venice Film Festival 2026 take place?
The Venice Film Festival 2026 is scheduled to run from September 2 through September 12 in Venice, Italy.
