Venice, Italy – This year’s Venice film festival is set to showcase a stellar lineup of stars, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lady Gaga on the picturesque Lido. The 81st edition of the festival, running from August 28 to September 7, promises a return to grandeur after a subdued previous year due to Hollywood strikes.

Among the contenders for the prestigious Golden Lion award is the highly anticipated sequel to Joker, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Joker, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as his partner in crime, Harley Quinn. Other competition entries include Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist with Adrien Brody, and Justin Kurzel’s The Order featuring Jude Law.

Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s biopic Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, is also competing for the Golden Lion. The festival’s lineup includes a diverse selection of films, such as Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, Halina Reijn’s Babygirl with Nicole Kidman, and Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Additionally, the festival will showcase documentaries like One to One: John & Yoko, Pavements, and 2073, exploring a range of themes from music to climate change. Television series premiering at Venice include Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer and Joe Wright’s M. Son of the Century, among others.

Alberto Barbera, the festival’s artistic director, highlighted the inclusion of TV shows as part of a broader reflection on the evolving landscape of cinematic works. The competition jury, chaired by French actor Isabelle Huppert, includes directors James Gray and Andrew Haigh.

Venice film festival 2024 promises to be a captivating and diverse cinematic experience, attracting top talent and showcasing a range of compelling stories across film and television. With a mix of established stars and emerging talents, the festival continues to be a premier event in the world of cinema.