The red carpet of Palazzo del Cinema opens tonight. Venice International Film Festival, at its 77th edition, guarantees a Festival with open participation, an aspect strongly desired by the President of the Biennale di Venezia Roberto Cicutto and the Director of the Venice International Film Festival Alberto Barbera.

In order to comply with the security measures, only 6,000 spectators will attend, but the international tabloids, such as Variety and Le Monde, have underlined that the Venice International Film Festival is a turning point and recovery moment for the film market after the setback caused by the pandemic.

To open the first evening, with the help of godmother Anna Foglietta, there’s an Italian film: “Lacci” by Daniele Luchetti, based on the homonymous novel of by Domenico Starnone, is produced by IBC Movie and Rai Cinema with the support of MiBACT.

There will be many awaited acclaimed appearances: the Australian actress Cate Blanchett, winner of two Academy Awards; Tilda Swinton, Ann Hui and the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. For some guests, such as Clive Owen or the young activist Greta Thunberg, only online video-calls could be guaranteed.

It will be possible to follow the opening ceremony live on TV at 6.45 pm on Rai Movie and live streaming at the same time on Rai Play. For the first time in the history of the Festival, the opening night will be broadcast live in 100 Italian cinemas all around the country. The initiative is the result of a combined effort of the Biennale, Anec, RAI and the collaboration of 01Distribution.