The 2024 Venice Film Festival jury will be chaired by revered French actress Isabelle Huppert, known for her incredible career which spans diverse performances in more than 120 films. She will lead a panel that includes American filmmaker James Gray, acclaimed for character-driven dramas like The Lost City of Z, and Oscar-winning Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for Cinema Paradiso. They’re joined by Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi – who gained international recognition for her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha – and accomplished filmmakers Andrew Haigh, Agnieszka Holland, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Abderrahmane Sissako and Julia von Heinz, each bringing their unique perspective.

Tim Burton's highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival, starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe. This sequel to the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice is set to kick off the festivities with Burton's signature dark humour and fantastical visuals.

Several notable entries are generating significant buzz in the main competition. Todd Phillips's Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, follows the Oscar-winning 2019 Joker film. Luca Guadagnino's Queer featuring Daniel Craig, and Pablo Larraín's Maria with Angelina Jolie as opera legend Maria Callas, are also key highlights. Brady Corbet's The Brutalist, shot on 70mm film, promises a visually stunning experience, while Halina Reijn's Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, adds to the star power.

Out of competition, Takeshi Kitano's Broken Rage will showcase the renowned Japanese filmmaker's distinctive blend of violence and humour. Baby Invasion will capture Harmony Korine's provocative and experimental vision, while Wolfs, an action-comedy directed by Jon Watts and starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, promises to be a major draw with its star-studded cast. 

American actress Sigourney Weaver will be honoured with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement this year. The award recognises Weaver's extraordinary contributions to cinema over a career spanning more than four decades. Weaver first gained international recognition for her iconic role as Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott's Alien, a character she reprised in three sequels, establishing herself as a pioneer for strong female leads in science fiction. Her diverse filmography includes critically acclaimed performances in films such as Ghostbusters, Gorillas in the Mist, and The Ice Storm. Weaver has received three Academy Award nominations and won two Golden Globe Awards and has continued to impress audiences with her performances in blockbusters like James Cameron's Avatar and its sequels.

The Baglioni Hotel Luna, the oldest hotel in Venice, is located just steps from St. Mark's Square and its proximity to the festival venues on the Lido makes it a convenient base. Stay in one of the elegantly decorated suites to enjoy the beautiful Venetian interiors and views of the lagoon or city. Don’t miss the refined dining in the Canova Restaurant – we’ll be ordering the Risotto al Nero di Seppia or Branzino al Sale.

Hotel Londra Palace, situated on the Riva degli Schiavoni promenade, provides breathtaking views of the lagoon and San Giorgio Maggiore island. Its location near the water taxi stops ensures easy access to the Lido for festival screenings, and the rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for enjoying the views and a quiet moment away from the festival activities.

Of course, you can book these and other Venice hotels with the ASMALLWORLD Collection.