Venice Film Festival 2026: Eight Standout Releases From the 83rd Edition
The 83rd Venice Film Festival showcased eight films competing for the 2027 awards. Martin McDonagh's production, set against the backdrop of Easter Island, features John Malkovich as Chris and Sam Rockwell as Lee, centering on the 1973 Chilean coup. A 22-minute short by Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller illustrates ICE activities in Minneapolis, highlighting community pushback. Danny Boyle's film stars Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch, delving into his acquisition of The Sun in 1969. Lee Chang-dong’s latest work features Jeon Do-yeon as Mi-ok, exploring themes of desire and class. Lance Oppenheim’s debut includes Robert Pattinson in a tale about To Catch a Predator. May El-Toukhy's Woman Unknown tackles post-WWII collaboration. Alex Gibney’s documentary on Elon Musk features interviews and a song by David Byrne. NAZA presents anonymous discussions with 24 members of the Israeli Intelligence Corps regarding IDF actions in Gaza.
Key facts
- The 83rd Venice Film Festival featured eight highlighted releases that are now in the 2027 awards race.
- Martin McDonagh's film stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell and is set on Chile's Easter Island, referencing the 1973 Chilean coup.
- Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller co-directed a 22-minute short about ICE operations in Minneapolis.
- Danny Boyle's film depicts Rupert Murdoch's 1969 purchase of The Sun, with Guy Pearce, Jack O'Connell, and Claire Foy.
- Lee Chang-dong's new film stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Zo In-sung.
- Lance Oppenheim's narrative debut features Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen in a story about To Catch a Predator.
- May El-Toukhy's Woman Unknown was the only competition film by a female director and is set in post-WWII Denmark.
- Alex Gibney's documentary on Elon Musk includes a new song by David Byrne, and NAZA features interviews with 24 Israeli Intelligence Corps members.
Entities
Artists
- Martin McDonagh
- John Malkovich
- Sam Rockwell
- Laura Poitras
- Rachel Lauren Mueller
- Rupert Murdoch
- Guy Pearce
- Jack O'Connell
- Danny Boyle
- Claire Foy
- Lee Chang-dong
- Jeon Do-yeon
- Sul Kyung-gu
- Cho Yeo-jeong
- Zo In-sung
- Lance Oppenheim
- Robert Pattinson
- Chris Hansen
- May El-Toukhy
- Mathilde Arcel
- Alex Gibney
- Elon Musk
- David Byrne
- Jonathan Glazer
- Liam Hess
Institutions
- Venice Film Festival
- The Sun
- ICE
- Guardian
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Easter Island
- Chile
- Santiago
- Minneapolis
- United States
- Denmark
- Tel Aviv
- Israel
- Gaza