Watch: Nina Dobrev Debuts Blonde Hair Transformation for ‘It Happened One Summer’
Hollywood is embarking on another reel exciting trip to Italy.
Indeed, stars flocked to the 2026 Venice Film Festival for the annual—and oldest—film festival to kick off the unofficial start of awards season, with highly-anticipated movies such as Ink, Primetime and Bunker among the competition.
The event—which runs until Sept. 12—officially began with the world premiere of Claire Foy’s new movie Ink, with many celebrities hitting the carpet for the opening ceremony.
While the Crown alum sizzled in a red Bottega Veneta gown with matching elbow-length gloves, Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev turned heads in a black strapless sequined gown with flowing tulle train.
And Wicked star Jonathan Bailey had fans singing a different tune with his dapper ensemble, as the British actor sported a loose-fitted black tuxedo, paired with a black velvet scarf and sunglasses.
As for Maggie Gyllenhaall? The Lost Daughter director—who serves as the president of the jury of the festival—was the definition of classy chic, wearing a black off-the-shoulder long-sleeved Celine gown.
Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite A-list couple George Clooney and Amal Clooney were dressed to the nines for their Venice Film Festival date night. While the pair’s appearance at the prestigious festival isn’t anything new, this year is extra special.
After all, Clooney was honored with the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement on opening night, being presented with the award by his Jay Kelly costar and friend Laura Dern.
While accepting the honor, the Oscar winner expressed his gratitude toward those who helped guide him at the start of his career.
Alessandro Levati/Getty Images
“When you start reflecting on the years, you realize you really didn’t have a career as much as a series of happy accidents,” Clooney shared on Aug. 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Somebody gave me my first job, somebody else gave me my second job. A director saw something in me that I was yet to see. A writer wrote better lines than I deserved. A crew member made me look like I knew what I was doing. A star, like Laura, was kind enough to let me learn from them.”
“And over time,” he added, “you begin to realize that nobody arrives anywhere on their own.”
For more star-studded appearances at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, read on…
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Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Tiziana FABI / AFP via Getty Images
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Peugeot
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Peugeot
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