Today is the start of the Venice Film fesstival

Keira Knightley

The past few days have seen the beautiful, the famous and the jet set arrive in Venice ready for the start of the 68th Venice film festival. 

Kate Winslet,

Colin Firth, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley and Jude Law will spearhead the British presence as the world's oldest film festival gets under way. 

The festival will open today with the world premiere screening of "The Ides of March", a political drama which stars, and was directed by, George Clooney, who lives for part of the year at his house on the shores of Lake Como. 

 George arriving in Venice yesterday, with super model Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber along with other friends.

Twenty-two films - all world premieres - will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award, while a host of stars are expected on the red carpet - from the blue-eyed Clooney to US singer Madonna and The Godfather actor Al Pacino. However it is George Clooney who is expected to draw out the screaming crowds...  So with George, Colin and Jude in town, I shall be heading off to the cinema... Obviously to watch the films! 

Jude Law

To book your ticket please follow this link: Venice film  or turn up at the booking office the day before the screening  you wish to see, but be prepared tickets are not cheap at 49 euro a pop! 

La Biennale di Venezia 68th Venice film festival

The 68th Venice International Film Festival, will start on 31st August on the Venice Lido until September 10th, 2011.

The Venice film festival is the oldest film festival in the world . The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote all the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and tolerance. The Festival includes retrospectives and homages to major figures as a contribution towards raising awareness of the history of cinema.

Personally, while I love a trip to the cinema I love the fun of people watching! In Venice during Biennale week, it will be a fantastic opportunity to people watch! 

The official line-up of the 68th Venice Film Festival will be announced during the official press conference to take place in Rome on tomorrow Thursday 28th July. After which I shall be booking my tickets to the cinema! 

Locations

Venice Lido (Palazzo del Cinema, Casinò, Sala Darsena, and PalaBiennale)

Screening Venues

Palazzo del Cinema (Sala Grande: 1,032 seats and Sala Volpi: 160 seats)

Sala Darsena (1,300 seats)

PalaBiennale (1,700 seats)

Sala Perla at the Palazzo del Casinò (400 seats)

Movie Garden. Stands, Internet Points and refreshment for the public and trade operators.

Hotel reservations

Online hotel booking + Special festival packages

University residences run by the ESU in Venice

Accomodation in the ESU university residences for students and researchers who wish to stay in Venice at very low prices.

How to get to Lido di Venezia

By train: after arrival at the railway station of Venezia S.Lucia, catch a vaporetto boat for the Lido (ACTV public transport routes 51/52). Alight at Lido/S. Maria Elisabetta.

By car: leave motorway at Venice exit , follow indications for Venezia-Lido, board ACTV traghetto (ferry).

By vaporetto (boat): from Piazzale Roma and from the railway station, ACTV routes 1 / 2 / 61 or 51/52.

By air: from Marco Polo airport, Alilaguna vaporetto. Alight at Lido/ S. Maria Elisabetta.

For further information

Tel. +39 041 5218 711

Fax +39 041 5218 854

cinema@labiennale.org