Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2026 shows the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
VENICE, Italy, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film.
The international jury for the competition is chaired by U.S. actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, with director Johnnie To from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region among its members.
At the opening ceremony, U.S. actor, director and producer George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
The festival, which runs until Sept. 12, was first held in 1932. Alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, it is regarded as one of Europe's three major film festivals. ■
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Italian actress Greta Scarano poses at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Actress Greta Scarano (L) and actor Nicolas Maupas host the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Alberto Barbera (L), artistic director of the 83rd Venice Film Festival, poses with his wife at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
U.S. actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the 83rd Venice Film Festival Jury, poses at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Journalists work at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
U.S. actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the 83rd Venice Film Festival Jury, poses at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
U.S. actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the 83rd Venice Film Festival Jury, poses at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Johnnie To (L), member of the 83rd Venice Film Festival Jury, poses at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion for Best Film. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, poses at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will run from Sept. 2 until Sept. 12 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (R), president of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival Jury, poses with Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will run from Sept. 2 until Sept. 12 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival Jury, poses at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will run from Sept. 2 until Sept. 12 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Johnnie To, member of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival Jury, poses at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will run from Sept. 2 until Sept. 12 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival Jury, poses at the photocall in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will run from Sept. 2 until Sept. 12 at the Venice Lido island in Italy. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
British actress Claire Foy of the film "Ink" arrives at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Guy Pearce, Claire Foy, Jack O'Connell, and Danny Boyle (L to R) pose for a group photo at the photocall of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
British actor Jack O'Connell of the film "Ink" arrives at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
British director Danny Boyle of the film "Ink" arrives at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Australian actor Guy Pearce of the film "Ink" arrives at the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 2, 2026. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened Wednesday on Lido island in Venice, Italy, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)