Venice Film Festival

The Venice International Film Festival runs from 1 to 11 September 2010 (Italian: Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica).

The spotlight once again falls on the Lido di Venezia for this 67th annual star-studded event, organised by La Biennale di Venezia.  Screenings of films take place at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. 

The Festival is part of the Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia or Venice Biennial) - a festival and celebration of contemporary art, including film, music, dance, architecture and theatre.  The Film Festival takes place every year and the Art Exhibition takes place every two years (odd years – next 4 June-27 Nov 2011).

If you have been pondering a trip to Venice but prefer to avoid the crowds, it might be wise to avoid this busy period in September – unless, of course, you plan to indulge in a spot of stargazing!

The Lido is just a short ‘vaporetto’ boat ride away from the crowds of St. Mark’s Square.  Be warned that landing on the Lido and dealing with cars and bicycles may come as a bit of a shock after mostly pedestrian-only Venice.  The Lido has some nice beaches and is well worth a visit nonetheless. 

The Lido is a long sandbar, which acts as a protective barrier between the Venice Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea.  The main shopping and dining area revolves around Santa Maria Elisabetta, a tree-lined wide street which leads to the Venice lagoon on the south side (where Vaporettos from Venice dock) and the Adriatic on the north side – location of the Film Festival.   

The Lido has some magnificent modern as well as grand old hotels, including the (former) Grand Hotel des Bains and Westin Excelsior. Many of the beaches are for private use of the hotels, but public beaches are also available. 

It is tragic news indeed to read reports that the Hotel des Bains has recently closed with plans for conversion into luxury apartments.  This atmospheric old hotel was the setting for the famous novel Death in Venice by Thomas Mann and the resulting film by Luchino Visconti. It was also used during the filming of The English Patient. 

Visit our Travel Guide to Venice and follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) for updated travel advice.  Don’t forget your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but this should never be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance! 

Flickr cc Image:  TracyElaine  (The Lido, Venice – Westin Excelsior)