Now in its 81st edition, the Venice International Film Festival – more commonly known as the Venice Film Festival – is preparing again this year to enchant the world of cinema (and beyond), from August 28 to September 7, 2024.
This event, born in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale, confirms itself as the oldest film festival in the world, a real prestigious stage that has attracted the greatest stars of international cinema for almost a century.
Also, this year, Lido di Venice will be transformed into a crossroads of talents, ideas and new visions, offering film enthusiasts ten days of screenings, meetings and unmissable events.
Program and films in competition
The 2024 edition will open with a tribute to the great Italian film tradition: Vittorio De Sica’s “The Gold of Naples”, a 1954 masterpiece, will be screened in a restored 4K version to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the director’s death. This special screening, part of the “Venice Classics” section, will kick off a rich and varied program.
Among the most anticipated films of this year are “Joker: Folie à Deux”, sequel to the award-winning 2019 film starring Joaquin Phoenix, and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s cult classic. These titles promise to bring some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars to the red carpet, confirming the festival’s role as an international showcase for the most ambitious productions.
Fortunately, for film enthusiasts eager to fully immerse themselves in this event, the Biennale offers numerous tickets for the duration of the entire event, thus making the dream of many to attend the Venice Film Festival a reality.
Festival reviews
The Venice Film Festival is divided into several sections, each with its own identity and purpose.
Official Competition
The Official Competition is the main program of the Exhibition, in which the most anticipated works of the year are presented. Here, established and emerging directors compete for the most prestigious awards: the Golden Lion, the Silver Lion and the Coppa Volpi.
The films in this section are chosen for their artistic quality as well as for their results. Often, these works anticipate future film trends and become the subject of discussion all over the world.
Out of Competition
The Out of Competition section offers a space for high-profile films that do not participate in the main competition. Here you can find premieres of blockbusters, major documentaries and works by renowned directors, who prefer a showcase without the pressure of the competition.
This category, in many cases, is a springboard to discover works that may not receive the same visibility in other circumstances.
Orizzonti
Dedicated to the exploration of new languages and trends in contemporary cinema, Orizzonti presents a programme of feature films and short films that stand out for their innovative narrative and stylistic research.
This section is particularly popular with those looking for less conventional cinema.
Extra Orizzonti
Orizzonti Extra is a selection of up to ten works that are characterized by their creative originality and an innovative approach in the relationship with the public.
This category is a real laboratory of cinematic experimentation, where emerging and established directors can dare and push the conventional boundaries of cinema.
Venizia Classici
Every year, Venezia Classici offers a journey through time with the projection of masterpieces of the past, restored and brought back to their former glory.
This section offers the opportunity to rediscover films that have made the history of cinema, presenting them to a new generation of spectators and allowing the most passionate to see them again in a new guise.
Venice Immersive
This cutting-edge section is entirely dedicated to immersive media, in which the new frontiers of creative expression through virtual and augmented reality are explored.
Venice Immersive features 360° video and interactive XR works that challenge the traditional boundaries of cinematic language, offering completely new and immersive experiences.
Biennale College – Cinema
Biennale Collage Cinema is an initiative that supports the development and production of innovative and low-budget audiovisual works.
This program represents a bridge between training and film production, giving voice to new talents and promoting original creative approaches.
Where does the festival take place?
Like every year, the Film Festival takes place mainly on the Lido of Venice, thus transforming this strip of land that separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea into an international stage for cinema.
Among the main (and most appreciated) locations of the festival, we find:
- Palazzo del Cinema
This historic building houses the Great Hall, where the most important screenings, opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the awards ceremony are held. Its façade becomes the iconic backdrop for the most important red carpet in Italy every year.
- Casino Palace
A short walk from the Palazzo del Cinema, this elegant building houses several screening rooms, including the renowned Sala Perla, and numerous press conferences. It is here that you can often meet directors and actors while presenting their works to the international press.
- Darsena hall
A modern and capacious cinema that hosts some of the most anticipated screenings of the festival. Its strategic location, close to the Palazzo del Cinema, makes it an essential stop for enthusiasts.
- Volpi hall
Named after Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, founder of the festival, this more intimate room offers an intimate experience for selected screenings and press conferences, allowing for more direct contact between the audience and the festival’s protagonists.
- Giardini hall
Recently renovated, this room overlooks the evocative Biennale Garden, offering a unique atmosphere for the screenings and collateral events of the festival.
- Hotel Excelsior
A historic hotel on the Lungomare Marconi, the Excelsior is not only a place to stay for the stars, but also an important venue for collateral events, business meetings and exclusive interviews.
A stone’s throw from Camping Ca’Savio
Participating in the Venice Film Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the art of cinema immersed in the unparalleled beauty of Venice.
But how to fully live this incredible experience without being overwhelmed by the frenzy that inevitably accompanies an event of such magnitude? The answer is located a few kilometers from the heart of the festival: Camping Ca’Savio.
Located in Cavallino, a short distance from the Lido of Venice, Ca’Savio offers an ideal base to participate in the Film Festival without sacrificing contact with nature and relaxation. From Ca’Savio it is in fact possible to easily reach the Lido di Venezia, both by public transport and with the dedicated shuttle service; moreover, staying at the campsite, it is also possible to explore the wonders of Venice and the islands of the lagoon. You can therefore alternate days dedicated to cinema with excursions to discover the artistic and cultural heritage of this unique region in the world.
The Venice Film Festival 2024 is waiting for you! Book your September holidays at Camping Ca’Savio now!
