Venice Film Festival 2025 In Photos: ‘La Grazia’ Opening Night, Red Carpet, Arrivals & More

From George and Amal Clooney’s water-taxi arrival to Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’ premiere, the 82nd Venice International Film Festival is officially underway.

The 82nd Venice International Film Festival launched on Wednesday, August 27, transforming the Lido into a global stage for cinema, glamour, and star-powered arrivals. Even before the first screening, the festivities began with water-taxi entrances, paparazzi flashes, and Hollywood names making their way across the canal.

George and Amal Clooney were among the earliest A-listers to arrive. Clooney, who stars as a movie icon in Noah Baumbach’s highly anticipated Jay Kelly, was joined by his co-stars Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, all in Venice ahead of the film’s world premiere in competition.

Oscar winner Emma Stone, last year’s breakout at Venice with Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things (which went on to win the Golden Lion), made her return alongside Lanthimos for their latest collaboration Bugonia, one of the festival’s most buzzed-about premieres.

Opening night was anchored by Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, which unspooled for the first time to an eager audience. The red carpet shimmered with international names including Heidi Klum, her daughter Leni Klum, Fernanda Torres, Tilda Swinton, Paola Turani, and more, setting the tone for a festival that will bring together auteurs, newcomers, and some of the biggest stars in the world.

With screenings, premieres, and events running through September 6, Venice 82 is shaping up to be both a launchpad for awards hopefuls and a global showcase for cinema at its most ambitious.

highlights and exclusive photos from opening day.:

Joanthan P. Moustakas

Jonathan P. Moustakas founded The Cinema Group in 2020 during the challenges of the pandemic, after losing the vital ability to find community in theaters and escape through the captivating magic of cinema. Feeling profoundly cut off from the vibrant film community he cherished, he sought to create a welcoming home for dedicated cinema fans while providing engaging, daily curated content that resonates with their passions. Years later, The Cinema Group has blossomed from a small collective of loyal fans into a thriving brand that reaches millions of audiences every month across a diverse array of platforms and mediums.

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