From Vanity Fair · Kase Wickman · · 1m 40s
Venice 2026: Who Showed Up on the Water
Speedboat arrivals, couture on the Lido, and the stars who worked the 2026 Venice red carpet.
In brief
Speedboat arrivals, couture on the Lido, and the stars who worked the 2026 Venice red carpet. Venice runs September 2 to 12 on the Lido, and the arrivals by water are as much the show as the films. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
A place to be seen
Venice screens real films in 2026, including the premieres of Primetime and Ink. It also functions as the year's best excuse for stars to be photographed.
Arrive by speedboat
Guests pull up to the carpet on the water, which is why Venice photos look different from every other festival. Wind, light, and a boat behind you.
“an unmatched opportunity for windswept movie-star glamour”
Eleven days on the Lido
The festival holds the Lido di Venezia from September 2 to September 12, stacked with screenings, parties, and the industry hobnobbing between them.
The bedsheet gown
Last year Elda Calabrese had her luggage stolen on the way to Italy. She built a gown out of a hotel bedsheet at the last minute and stole the carpet anyway.
September 10 brought the veterans
Russell Crowe and Matthew Modine worked the carpet on the same day as Saoirse Ronan. Marina Abramović and documentarian Barbara Kopple turned up the day before.
Place to Be owned the night
The September 9 screening put Pamela Anderson, director Kornél Mundruczó, and Taika Waititi on the carpet together, with Murray Bartlett at both photocall and premiere.
Couples and family plus-ones
Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz walked hand in hand on September 9. The night before, Ben Affleck brought daughter Indiana to the Company screening.
Here's the gist
Venice runs September 2 to 12 on the Lido, and the arrivals by water are as much the show as the films.
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