The canals of Venice glistened with more than just the city’s famous light on August 28, 2025, as Hollywood’s brightest stars descended for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The annual event, hosted on the storied Lido island, kicked off on August 27 and has already delivered its share of glamour, surprises, and cinematic milestones.
George Clooney, a perennial favorite of the silver screen, made headlines before the premiere of his latest film, Jay Kelly. According to the Associated Press, Clooney was notably absent from a press conference earlier in the day due to a “bad sinus infection.” Yet, in a show of star power and resilience, he rallied for the red carpet, stepping out in a classic tuxedo with his wife, Amal, by his side. The couple’s appearance delighted fans and photographers alike, confirming Clooney’s status as both a committed actor and a consummate showman.
Jay Kelly, a Netflix-backed production, premiered that evening to much anticipation. Directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written with Emily Mortimer, the film blurs the line between fiction and reality. Clooney plays a version of himself—a movie star grappling with questions of identity and the peculiarities of celebrity life. The film’s meta approach, as described by the Associated Press, pokes fun at the business of stardom and the entourage that comes with it, while also exploring deeper themes of self-reflection.
The ensemble cast is as glittering as the festival itself. Adam Sandler stars as Jay’s manager, Laura Dern portrays his publicist, and Billy Crudup plays the role of the most talented actor in Jay’s class who never found fame. Laura Dern, speaking at the press event, praised Clooney’s performance as “amazing, raw, true.” Her words echo the sentiment of many who have followed Clooney’s career—his ability to bring authenticity to even the most self-referential roles is part of his enduring appeal.
Sandler, for his part, offered a heartfelt nod to the real-life figures behind the scenes. “I’ve always appreciated my manager, my agent, my publicist,” he said, as quoted by the Associated Press. “I know how hard they work and how difficult it is to hear my ups and downs in life and back me up no matter what. … I could get loud at times.” Sandler’s gratitude was matched by director Noah Baumbach, who emphasized the unique qualities Sandler brings to the screen. “Adam really does have such grace and such loyalty and generosity and heart,” Baumbach noted. “He really has found a way to successfully sort of navigate this whole thing and do it so beautifully.”
Baumbach, no stranger to Venice, returned to the festival after his previous adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise. Like that film, Jay Kelly is part of Netflix’s ambitious slate at this year’s festival, which also includes Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Kathryn Bigelow’s political thriller A House of Dynamite. The streaming giant, having taken a year off from the competition, is back in force, signaling its continued investment in prestige cinema and awards contention.
The opening days of the festival have been a parade of stars and high fashion. As reported by USA Today, the red carpet on August 27 saw the arrival of Cate Blanchett, who dazzled ahead of the opening ceremony, and other luminaries such as Heidi Klum, Barbara Palvin, Tilda Swinton, and Nicky Passarella. The Hotel Excelsior, a longtime hub for festival activity, was abuzz as George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Laura Dern made their arrivals, with photographers capturing every moment for fans worldwide.
One particularly poignant moment came during the opening ceremony, when legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog received the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Herzog, a towering figure in world cinema, posed with his Golden Lion statuette, a testament to a career that has spanned continents and genres. The image, captured by Getty Images, quickly circulated as one of the festival’s defining snapshots.
Yet, for all the glitz, the Venice Film Festival remains a celebration of cinema’s power to provoke, entertain, and inspire. This year’s lineup is no exception. Alongside Jay Kelly, audiences have been treated to the premiere of Bugonia, the latest collaboration between director Yorgos Lanthimos and actress Emma Stone. The festival, which runs through September 6, promises a steady stream of premieres, discussions, and—inevitably—surprise moments that only Venice can deliver.
For Clooney, the journey to Venice was more than just another stop on the promotional circuit. The self-reflective nature of Jay Kelly prompted the actor and his co-stars to consider their own lives in the spotlight. As Baumbach explained, “We started to just say, ‘this will be George.’ We all, watching it, have a history with George just like the people in the movie have a history with Jay.” The film’s themes of fame, family, and personal reckoning resonate not only with those on screen but with audiences who see their own struggles reflected in the characters.
Netflix’s presence at Venice underscores the ongoing transformation of the film industry. Once viewed warily by traditionalists, streaming platforms now command a central role at major festivals. The competition lineup, featuring heavyweights like del Toro and Bigelow, attests to the changing landscape—one where distribution models are evolving, but the art of storytelling remains paramount.
As the festival unfolds, the city itself becomes a character in the drama. The Lido, with its blend of old-world charm and modern buzz, sets the stage for encounters both scripted and spontaneous. The sight of Clooney, Sandler, and Dern mingling with fans and peers is a reminder of cinema’s enduring ability to unite people across borders and backgrounds.
With the world’s attention on Venice, the festival’s early days have already delivered unforgettable moments. Whether it’s Herzog’s lifetime honor, the anticipation for new Netflix premieres, or the candid reflections of stars like Clooney, the 82nd Venice International Film Festival is shaping up to be a landmark edition—one that balances the weight of tradition with the thrill of the new.
As September approaches and the festival’s top awards loom, all eyes remain on the Lido. For now, the red carpet remains rolled out, the cameras are flashing, and the magic of the movies is alive and well on the Venetian shore.