The Venice Film Festival, running from August 28 to September 7, features 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion prize. Among the standout entries is "The Room Next Door," directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. This marks Almodovar's first English-language film, and it is highly anticipated. Other notable films include "Joker: Folie à Deux," the sequel to the acclaimed 2019 film, directed by Todd Phillips and featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, as well as "Maria," a biopic of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie.

The festival lineup also includes a diverse array of international films, such as "Leurs Enfants Après Eux" by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma, "The Brutalist" directed by Brady Corbet, and "Queer" by Luca Guadagnino, which features Daniel Craig and Lesley Manville. Other films in competition are "Babygirl," starring Nicole Kidman, and "Harvest," directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari. The competition promises a mix of genres and styles, showcasing both established filmmakers and emerging talents.

The jury for this year's festival will be led by actress Isabelle Huppert, and the winner of the Golden Lion will be announced on the final day of the event. With a lineup that includes both star-studded casts and innovative storytelling, the Venice Film Festival continues to be a significant platform for cinematic excellence and artistic expression.