Since 1932, even if with some interruptions, the Venice Film Festival has been bringing the Masters of the seventh art to the lagoon.

This year, now in its 78th year, will be no different: despite the COVID-19 emergency, the much-loved event will take place, in accordance with protocols and rules, from 1 to 11 September.

President Roberto Cicutto and Director Alberto Barbera presented the programme which, in the words of the latter, aims to “give voice to the multitude of perspectives, genres and areas of cinema”. The competition will feature 21 world premiere feature films, productions from countries all over the world from the Philippines to Italy.

Among the films out of competition is “Halloween Kills”, starring actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who will receive this year’s Golden Lion as an actress. The film will be screened on the 8th and 9th of September.

The first Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement as director, screenwriter and actor will be awarded to the Italian Roberto Benigni, the handover ceremony taking place at the opening of the exhibition on 1 September.

If you are looking forward to the film festival, even if only to see your favourite actors on the red carpet, you should know that the entire festival takes place in the area of the Palazzo del Cinema at the Venice Lido, a modernist-style building built in 1937 to host the event.

How to get to the Venice Film Festival from the main airports

If you are arriving directly from Venice Marco Polo Airport or Treviso Airport, we recommend a direct bus line that will take you comfortably to Piazzale Roma in just a few stops. In the website you can find more information on the timetables for the two lines departing from Venice and Treviso Airport.

Once you reach Piazzale Roma, you can get directly to Lido by vaporetto number 6, 5.1 or with the direct service that the ACTV transport company offers in conjunction with the Venice Film Festival.

Get to the Mostra del Cinema from Jesolo, Cavallino and the beaches

Do you want to have a break from the beach and immerse yourself in the world of Cinema? Don’t worry, even without a car you can get to Lido with this bus + vaporetto connection that takes you directly to St Mark’s Square, where you can take a stroll through the unmissable heart of Venice and then leave for Lido.

If the bus-only option seems the best, you can also reach Piazzale Roma from the main seaside resorts in the Veneto with a dedicated bus line.

From Cortina to the Film Festival: how to get there

If, on the other hand, you are now in Cortina or the surrounding area and would like to add a stop at Venice Lido to your holiday, we recommend that you get to Piazzale Roma by bus. This bus line makes only a few stops and is equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and a large luggage compartment. Tickets can be purchased online as well as at ticket offices.

We hope that all this information will help you to enjoy a fantastic experience at the 78th Venice Biennale International Film Festival. If you are going to participate in these days and want to let us know, contact us on our Facebook page and send us your photo!