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The 2024 Venice Film Festival, running from August 28 to September 7, celebrated its 81st edition with a dazzling array of Hollywood stars and international filmmakers. This year’s festival highlighted Venice’s role as a major launchpad for films eyeing awards season glory, maintaining its legacy of showcasing bold, auteur-driven cinema. Here’s a look at the key highlights and the stars who lit up the red carpet.
Star-Studded Premieres and Appearances
The festival opened with the global premiere of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2, a much-anticipated sequel to the 1988 cult classic. The film’s director was joined by an all-star cast, including Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, who all took to the red carpet. Their appearance brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement, making it one of the most talked-about moments of the event.
Other big names included Cate Blanchett, who promoted Alfonso Cuarón’s upcoming Apple TV+ series Disclaimer, and Daniel Craig, who starred in Luca Guadagnino’s provocative film Queer.
The festival also premiered Joker: Folie à Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Both actors, known for their intense, transformative performances, were the center of attention as they debuted the much-anticipated musical sequel to Joker. Lady Gaga, who won an Oscar for her song in A Star is Born (2019), attended the festival for her role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux. Her red carpet look was standout.
Angelina Jolie returned to Venice for the premiere of Maria, where she plays opera legend Maria Callas. Jolie’s portrayal of the iconic diva garnered attention for both her performance and the film’s high-fashion, operatic appeal.
Brad Pitt, though not promoting a film, also made a notable appearance at the festival, adding to the A-list glamour.
Antonio Banderas, an Oscar nominee for Pain and Glory (2019), attended to promote his work and made a strong impression with his timeless red-carpet walk.
George Clooney, Oscar winner for Syriana (2006), made an appearance with his wife, Amal Clooney, enhancing the festival’s star power.
Nicole Kidman, the Oscar-winning actress (The Hours, 2003) appeared in support of Babygirl, wearing a dazzling gown on the red carpet.
Awards and Recognition
The festival also honored the iconic Sigourney Weaver with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, celebrating her 50 years in the industry. Weaver, known for her roles in Alien, Avatar, and Gorillas in the Mist, joined other major Hollywood figures such as George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, and Jude Law, who all made appearances throughout the event.
Nicole Kidman was another highlight, winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in Babygirl. Although unable to attend the awards ceremony due to a personal emergency, her earlier appearance was memorable. Her director, Halina Reijn, accepted the award on her behalf.
Brady Corbet took home the Silver Lion for Best Director for The Brutalist, and Vincent Lindon won Best Actor for The Quiet Son, both of whom received high praise for their performances and directorial vision.
A Mix of Established Stars and Rising Talent
Venice also gave a platform to new and rising talent. Paul Kirschner, a fresh face, won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for most promising newcomer for his performance in And Their Children After Them. Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney and Taylor Russell both turned heads at the festival, marking their rise as significant new talents in the industry.
In addition to the competition films, Venice 2024 featured a range of highly anticipated international projects, mixing Hollywood blockbusters with smaller, daring arthouse films. Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux stood out as a film blending mainstream appeal with artistic innovation, while Luca Guadagnino’s Queer challenged traditional storytelling norms with its bold thematic choices.
A Return to Form for Venice
The Venice Film Festival 2024 was not just a celebration of cinema, but also of the film industry’s post-pandemic recovery. With actors and filmmakers attending in full force, the festival signaled a revival of red-carpet glamour and industry networking. The festival’s Lido was once again abuzz with press, celebrities, and cinephiles eager to embrace the magic of cinema.
From the elegant premieres to the emotional awards, this year’s festival reinforced Venice’s status as a key cultural event in the global film calendar, where art meets stardom and where many Oscar hopefuls launch their campaigns. With an eclectic mix of films, groundbreaking performances, and unforgettable moments, the 2024 Venice Film Festival was truly a spectacle of cinematic brilliance.
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