If Venice is the most romantic film set in the world, the Venice Film Festival is its biggest premiere.
For more than 80 editions, this glamorous event has been a stage for movie legends, outrageous fashion moments, political drama, and quiet little stories only locals get to see.
Whether you’re a film lover, a celebrity spotter, or just someone who loves a good piece of gossip, here’s your VIP pass to the fun facts and secrets that make the Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica so unforgettable.
1. 🎥 It’s the Oldest Film Festival in the World
The very first edition was in 1932, held on the terrace of the Hotel Excelsior on Lido.
The opening film? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931). Back then, screenings were free, and moviegoers showed up in linen suits and evening gowns, sipping cocktails as gondolas floated by.
2. 🏆 From Mussolini to the Golden Lion
In the 1930s, the top prize was called the Coppa Mussolini (yes, named after that Mussolini).
After World War II, the name was dropped, and the Golden Lion was born — now one of the most coveted awards in cinema.
3. 👙 The Mink Bikini Moment
In 1955, British actress Diana Dors arrived in Venice wearing a mink bikini… in a gondola.
The photos went global, Venice blushed (a little), and the red carpet learned a valuable lesson: anything can happen here.
4. 🎭 The Stars Escape to Lido
One reason celebrities love Venice? The festival happens on Lido Island, away from the chaotic crowds of San Marco.
Here, stars can sip spritzes at the Excelsior terrace, cycle along the beach, or even sneak in a swim before a premiere — something you’ll never see at Cannes.
5. 🚀 The Venice-to-Oscars Pipeline
If a movie wins big in Venice, there’s a good chance it’ll clean up at the Oscars.
Gravity, La La Land, Roma, Nomadland, and Joker all premiered here before their golden nights in Hollywood.
For film studios, Venice isn’t just glamour — it’s strategy.
6. 🕰 Restoring the Lost Classics
Every year, the Venice Classics section brings back cinematic treasures.
In 2025, the restored Queen Kelly (1929) — an unfinished Gloria Swanson epic — finally got its long-awaited spotlight, almost 100 years after it was shot.
7. 🎮 The First to Go Virtual
In 2017, Venice became the first major film festival to create a section for virtual reality films.
Now called Venice Immersive, it’s a playground for the future of storytelling — proving this old festival still knows how to stay young.
8. ✨ Those Little Red Carpet Stories…
Behind the flashbulbs, there’s always drama:
- In 2024, Jenna Ortega whispered to Winona Ryder to “keep the sunglasses on” when photographers asked her to remove them — a quiet but viral moment of solidarity.
- In the 1960s, Brigitte Bardot refused to walk the carpet until her dog had a drink of water.
- And more than one star has been spotted taking the vaporetto back to Venice in full gala attire, heels in hand.
9. 🍸 Parties You’ll Never See on TV
The real fun often happens after the screenings:
- Rooftop DJ sets at the Excelsior with A-list guests.
- Private dinners in secret palazzos on the Grand Canal.
- Prosecco-fueled afterparties on yachts moored just off Lido.
Unless you’re invited, you’ll only hear whispers about them the next day.
10. ❤️ Why It’s Still So Magical
Venice is already a dream. Add world-class cinema, history, and a touch of unpredictability, and you get an event like no other.
From the mink bikinis to the midnight premieres, the Venice Film Festival is more than a red carpet — it’s a living story, written a little differently every year.
💡 Planning to visit during the festival?
With Tour Leader Venice, you can combine red carpet glamour with insider Venice experiences — from private Lido tours to hidden island escapes. And who knows? You might just share a table with your favorite movie star.
