The Venice International Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica) is the oldest in the world and one of the most prestigious. First held in 1932, following an idea by then-Biennale di Venezia president Giuseppe Volpi, sculptor Antonio Maraini, and Luciano De Feo, the festival quickly gained popularity, becoming an annual event by 1935. Today, with 81 editions completed, it remains a major film event, showcasing a program of top-tier works and bringing some of the most successful contemporary directors and actors to the red carpet at the Venice Lido. It continues the tradition of combining an artistically valuable program with the signature glamour that has always defined the event.

Officially recognized by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations), the festival’s primary goal is to promote the dissemination of international cinema in all its artistic, entertainment, and industrial forms, fostering a spirit of freedom and dialogue. One of its sections is dedicated to restoring and revaluing classic films, contributing to a deeper understanding of film history.

Its top prize is the Golden Lion, which in its most recent edition was awarded to Pedro Almodóvar’s film The Room Next Door. The award has also recognized works by major contemporary filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, Darren Aronofsky, Ang Lee, Sofia Coppola, Alfonso Cuarón, and Chloé Zhao, as well as legendary figures like Luis Buñuel, Akira Kurosawa, Luchino Visconti, Jean-Luc Godard, and Agnès Varda.

Another of its most prestigious awards is the Volpi Cup, given for the best acting performances. Past winners include Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Brad Pitt, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren, Burt Lancaster, and Shirley MacLaine, among many others.