Venice Film Festival 2025: A Comeback with a Powerful Lineup of Award Season Contenders
After being overshadowed by Cannes at this year’s Oscars—where Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner Anora triumphed over Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist—the Venice Film Festival is making a bold return. The 2025 lineup is a dynamic mix of renowned directors, exciting debuts, and thought-provoking political narratives, solidifying Venice as the premier platform for films vying for awards this season.
Exciting Highlights from the 2025 Lineup
This year’s festival features standout performances from Julia Roberts in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, and Dwayne Johnson in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. Netflix is also making a splash with three highly anticipated films: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein starring Jacob Elordi, Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly featuring George Clooney, and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, showcasing Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson.
Additionally, audiences can look forward to new works from acclaimed directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Jim Jarmusch, Park Chan-wook, François Ozon, Paolo Sorrentino, Mona Fastvold, Gus van Sant, Julian Schnabel, Mamoru Hosoda, and Laszlo Nemes. The festival will also present politically charged films like Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab and Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin, featuring Jude Law as Vladimir Putin. On paper, this lineup suggests one of the strongest Venice festivals in recent memory.
Alberto Barbera on the Festival Landscape
After unveiling this year’s program, Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter about the friendly yet competitive nature of major film festivals. He noted, “While we’re all friends in the industry, competition is a reality. Each festival aims to showcase the best films available, and Venice has the advantage of being at the forefront of the new season, often securing many world premieres.”
Barbera emphasized that the festival’s success is gauged by audience and critical reception, stating, “The first screening is the moment of truth. If the film resonates well, it validates our choices. If it goes on to win awards, it enhances our reputation and helps us attract future films.”
Navigating the Venice Experience
As Hollywood stars Julia Roberts and Dwayne Johnson prepare for their Venice debuts, Barbera expressed confidence in their abilities to navigate the red carpet. He stated, “They are both exceptional professionals. The Venice audience is warm and welcoming, making the experience enjoyable for newcomers.”
However, Barbera also addressed the challenges faced by the festival due to its growing popularity. “While we have ample seating and theaters, the pressure on local infrastructure—hotels and restaurants—has intensified. Venice is a popular tourist destination, and finding affordable accommodations can be difficult during the festival.”
Addressing Concerns for Journalists
Barbera acknowledged the challenges faced by freelance journalists regarding access and affordability. “It’s tough to influence hotel prices or the availability of stars for interviews, as these decisions are often out of our control,” he said. “We strive to encourage more openness from production teams, but the logistics can be complicated.”
The Trend of Lengthy Films
The festival is also grappling with a growing trend of longer films, which complicates scheduling. “With many films exceeding two hours, it creates a challenge for our programming. We typically screen four competition films a day, and longer runtimes can push our evening schedules very late,” Barbera explained.
The Return of Political Cinema
This year’s lineup reflects a significant focus on political themes, with films like Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab tackling contemporary issues. Barbera highlighted the importance of addressing real-world problems through cinema, saying, “Cinema should reflect the current world rather than just be an escape. This year’s films resonate deeply with contemporary struggles, and I believe The Voice of Hind Rajab will evoke strong emotional responses from both the press and the audience.”
Netflix’s Strong Comeback
After not participating last year, Netflix returns with impressive entries from renowned filmmakers. Barbera shared, “Initially, we were concerned about having three Netflix films in competition, but their quality speaks for itself. Each film is deserving of its place at the festival.”
As Venice prepares for another remarkable year, Barbera remains optimistic. “After every festival, I think it’s impossible to replicate that success, yet we continue to attract captivating films. For now, this year looks promising, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds.”
With its impressive lineup and commitment to showcasing both artistic excellence and pressing social issues, the Venice Film Festival 2025 is set to be an unforgettable event on the film calendar.
