The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is shaping up to be a showcase for global storytelling, innovation, and powerful true-life narratives, with a diverse slate of premieres that reflect the evolving face of cinema. From the haunting hills of Florence to the bustling streets of Nairobi, and the hallowed halls of investigative journalism, this year’s out-of-competition lineup promises to leave a mark on festivalgoers and streaming audiences alike.
Among the most anticipated entries is Netflix’s Italian drama series The Monster of Florence, created by Stefano Sollima and Leonardo Fasoli. The series, which will make its debut out of competition, is set to arrive on Netflix on October 22, 2025, a date that also marks the tenth anniversary of the streaming giant’s presence in Italy, according to Deadline. This meticulously researched four-part drama dives deep into one of Italy’s most chilling and unresolved criminal cases: the Monster of Florence, a string of eight double murders committed between 1968 and 1985, all involving a .22 caliber Beretta.
Sollima, who spent more than a year poring over the details of the case, has crafted a narrative that begins with the very first police inquiry, guiding viewers through the twists and turns of one of Italy’s most controversial investigations. The director emphasized his approach in a statement: “Horror, to be truly told, must be faced, not avoided, and a story, to come through with clarity, without embracing a thesis, must begin at the very beginning. To recount it with honesty, respect, and rigor must still carry meaning. Not to solve, not to explain, but simply to remember. A way to remain close to those who were left there, forever in the night.”
The series stars Marco Bullitta, Valentino Mannias, Francesca Olia, Liliana Bottone, Giacomo Fadda, Antonio Tintis, and Giordano Mannu. Produced by Fremantle’s Italian company The Apartment and AlterEgo, with Lorenzo Mieli, Sollima, and Gina Gardini at the helm, the show promises a tense and atmospheric retelling. The trailer, already generating buzz, teases the infamous ‘Sardinian lead’—a controversial line of inquiry that captivated Italy for decades. With its premiere at Venice, The Monster of Florence seeks not to provide easy answers but to honor the victims and the enduring questions that surround the case.
Meanwhile, investigative journalism takes center stage with the world premiere of Laura Poitras’ latest documentary, Cover-Up. Paris-based mk2 Films has boarded sales for the documentary, which will also screen out of competition at Venice from August 27 to September 6, 2025. Poitras, whose previous film All The Beauty and the Bloodshed won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2022, returns with a timely portrait of legendary journalist Seymour Hersh. Hersh’s fearless reporting uncovered some of the darkest chapters of U.S. history, from the My Lai massacre in Vietnam to the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
According to Deadline, Cover-Up is both a personal exploration of Hersh’s life and a broader meditation on the role of journalism in democratic societies. The film delves into the ethical dilemmas, personal grit, and relentless pursuit of truth that have defined Hersh’s career—especially poignant in an era where disinformation and political unrest threaten to erode public trust in the press. The film, made in collaboration with Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Obenhaus, has already drawn attention with the release of its first clip, which shows Hersh as a challenging, uncompromising interview subject.
Fionnuala Jamison, Managing Director of mk2 Films, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “We’ve been longtime fans of Laura’s work. She crafts eye-opening narratives around the unsung heroes who uncover shocking truths. In Cover-Up, that unsung hero is Seymour Hersh, and we wanted to be part of this story that resonates ever so powerfully today.” The documentary’s arrival at Venice comes just over a decade after Poitras’ Oscar-winning Citizenfour, which chronicled the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and the critical role of investigative journalism in exposing government overreach.
Not to be outdone, African cinema is also making history at Venice this year. The Kenya-Nigeria co-production 1 Woman 1 Bra will have its premiere at the festival, marking the first collaboration between the two countries at this prestigious event. Written and directed by Kenyan filmmaker Vincho Nchogu in her feature debut, and produced by prolific Nigerian producer Josh Olaoluwa, the film was selected as one of four global projects for the Biennale College Cinema 2024/2025 program. It received a €200,000 production grant after being shortlisted from more than 200 submissions, as reported by ShockNG.
Shot entirely in Kenya by acclaimed cinematographer Muhammad Atta Ahmed, 1 Woman 1 Bra follows a woman’s quest for self-acceptance, transforming the search for a perfect bra into a journey of resilience, humor, and cultural introspection. The film blends comedy and drama to explore themes of femininity, body image, and self-love through an African lens, offering a fresh perspective that challenges social taboos and celebrates women’s stories. Olaoluwa, whose previous collaborations with Nchogu include the award-winning Fantastic Tale, brings a wealth of experience from projects showcased on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+.
The film’s development through the Biennale College Cinema—a rigorous workshop supporting emerging filmmakers—underscores Venice’s commitment to spotlighting underrepresented voices. Nchogu and Olaoluwa’s partnership, which began at the Red Sea Labs in 2023 and continued at the Torino Film Lab, has already garnered international recognition, with Nchogu’s work supported by Cannes’ La Fabrique, Film Independent, and Doc Society. The film’s vibrant visuals and intimate storytelling are expected to resonate with audiences and critics alike, aligning with the festival’s broader theme of innovation and diversity.
As the Venice International Film Festival unfolds on the Lido di Venezia from August 27 to September 6, 2025, these out-of-competition premieres highlight the festival’s enduring role as a crossroads for cinematic artistry and cultural exchange. Whether revisiting the shadows of unsolved crimes, examining the courage of those who speak truth to power, or celebrating the humor and strength found in everyday struggles, this year’s selections invite viewers to see the world—and themselves—through new eyes.
In a year marked by global uncertainty and shifting narratives, the stories told at Venice remind us of cinema’s unique power to illuminate, challenge, and connect. With premieres like The Monster of Florence, Cover-Up, and 1 Woman 1 Bra, the festival continues to set the stage for conversations that matter, both on and off the screen.
