admin The 81st Venice Film Festival wraps up on Saturday with the premiere of Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2.” As the awards ceremony gets closer, excitement is growing.
The race for the top prize features several high-profile films. Among them is the highly anticipated “Joker: Folie à Deux,” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Also in the mix is Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” with Angelina Jolie portraying the legendary soprano Maria Callas. Other notable entries include “Babygirl,” featuring Nicole Kidman, and Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig.
The festival has long been a key platform for awards season hopefuls. Films premiering here often go on to secure Oscar nominations. Previous Venice premieres, like “Birdman” and “Nomadland,” saw significant success on the global stage. This year, the buzz surrounds possible Best Actress nominations for Kidman and Jolie. Gaga’s performance may earn her a Supporting Actress nod, while Craig could land in the Best Actor category.
Fashion also took center stage at Venice this year. Lady Gaga stunned onlookers with a Christian Dior gown and a vintage lace headpiece, while Nicole Kidman dazzled in a body-hugging Schiaparelli outfit. Angelina Jolie exuded old Hollywood glamor with a luxurious fur stole, and Rachel Weisz turned heads in a shimmering Versace gown alongside her husband, Daniel Craig.
The festival is renowned for its glamorous premieres and high-profile stars, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Sigourney Weaver, all present to celebrate cinema’s finest moments. After last year’s industry strikes, this year marked a return to Venice’s grandeur, with A-listers stepping out in full force.
As the 81st Venice Film Festival closes, anticipation runs high. Will the jury led by Isabelle Huppert deliver another unexpected win, as it did with “Joker” five years ago? Only time will tell who takes home the coveted awards this year.
The night promises to be a culmination of art, fashion, and excitement, leaving a lasting mark on the film industry for years to come.
Magazine 
