The Venice Film Festival opens on the Lido with ten days of screenings, worldwide stars, and big returns. George Clooney will open the event, having received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in appreciation of his long-standing relationship to the lagoon and participation in the conference on the future of creativity in the AI era. The event brings together Hollywood celebrities ranging from Penélope Cruz to Robert Pattinson, with a special appearance by Liam and Noel Gallagher for the documentary about the Oasis reunion. On the Italian front, the festival welcomes cult filmmaker Nanni Moretti back with "Succederà questa notte", 37 years after the controversy surrounding the historic exclusion of “Palombella Rossa”. Italy is well-represented with five films in the main selection, ranging from romantic dramas to psychological thrillers, demonstrating the vitality and importance of national cinema production at the world's oldest film festival.