Venice Film Festival 2025

The siren’s call of Venice had little effect on D.H Lawrence – he rather ungenerously termed it an “abhorrent, green, slippery city” – but he’s one of the few who failed to fall under La Serenissima’s magical spell. Her bewitching charm is an all-year-round affair, but it becomes more potent at certain calendar highlights such as the fireworks of Ferragosto across the Grand Canal, the pageantry (and groaning overtourism) of Carnevale, the craft biennale Homo Faber and the Venice Film Festival, where the star power just about manages to compete with the majesty of her architecture. It’s a period where the gondolas and Vaporettos compete for space with the sleek Riva boats and glossy water taxis transporting starlets from film screenings on the Lido to events in private palazzos (and an aperitivo or two on the terrace of the Gritti).

This year, legendary Hitchcock actress Kim Novak is set to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award, and new films debuting include Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield and Guillermo del Toro’s interpretation of Frankenstein starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

Scroll on for all best dressed stars...

Clooneys

The wind in Venice played it’s part well at the Jay Kelly premiere, picking up the balloon train of Amal Clooney’s hot pink dress. George, who pulled out of earlier press events at the festival due to a sinus infection, wore a perfectly tailored navy suit by Giorgio Armani.

Laura Dern

Laura Dern sparkled in a colour changing Giorgio Armani Privé gown featuring beaded sleeves.

Eve Hewson

Eve Hewson chose a dramatic black sequin and tulle panelled gown, which she paired with a raspberry lip and flicked cat eye.

Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup

Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup arrived at the Jay Kelly premiere, both sporting black bows with their looks.

Riley Keough

Riley Keough channelled boho chic in a ruffled blouse and chiffon skirt by Chloe at the Jay Kelly premiere.

Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig

Jay Kelly director Noah Baumbach walked the red carpet with his wife Greta Gerwig, who wore asymmetric gown overlaid with flower embroidered tulle.

Alba Rohrwacher

Alba Rohrwacher’s bustled gown was only lightly dampened by a light Venetian rain shower.

Emily Mortimer

Emily Mortimer chose a lace dress with embroidered silver beading by Erdem, which she paired with Louboutin mules.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley chose a black mini dress which she paired with a snaking necklace and barely there sandals.

Adam Sandler

The Sandler’s were out in full support at the Jay Kelly premiere, with Adam joined by his wife Jackie and daughters Sunny and Sadie.

Nicole Avant

Diplomat-turned-film producer Nicole Avant and her husband Ted Sarandos arrived at the Jay Kelly red carpet with Avant choosing a golden green pleated gown.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone’s Louis Vuitton two tiered flapper-esque dress was perfectly topped off by her wispy grown out pixie cut. She stars in Bugonia which is her latest film with Yorgos Lanthimos; she won the Oscar for her role in his film Poor Things last year.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone stars in Bugonia and wore a cream chiffon dress to the premiere.

Noomi Rapace

Noomi Rapace did some cape choreography on the Bugonia red carpet.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe was joyous as he arrived for the Bugonia premiere wearing a deep aubergine suit with a satin tie and lapels.

Chioma Nnadi

Managing director of Cartier Laurent Feniou and British Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi walked the red carpet for Bugonia together.

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons slicked back his shoulder length hair in style and chose a classic tuxedo for the Bugonia premiere.

Emma Stone made the ‘dolce vita’ look seem effortless in a sleek black halterneck dress with an asymmetric lace hemline, completed by sunglasses and strappy sandals. It was all by Louis Vuitton naturally, she’s a longtime face of the brand. On her upper arm, she wore an Elsa Peretti Snake bangle by Tiffany & Co.

Hollywood power couple Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig arrived at the Lido Beach in crisp white shirts, Gerwig teaming hers with a floral A-line skirt and a Prada bag.

Laura Dern looked elegant in a boho-inspired Saint Laurent top, skirt, belt, bag and boots.

Emily Mortimer paired her black lace midi dress with Jimmy Choo patent pumps.

Riley Keough showcased two different looks at the Festival on Thursday - this one comprised of a fitted white shirt, a maxi pencil skirt and Christian Louboutin heels, completed by a Max Mara Whitney tote.

Kim Novak

Kim Novak made an entrance in a black coat embroidered with red thread, teamed with flared trousers.

Actress Eve Hewson, daughter of Bono and star of last year’s Netflix hit The Perfect Couple, wore a floral dress by British brand Erdem.

Alba Rohrwacher proved that the butter yellow trend is going nowhere with a silk drop-waist top with a trailing tie at the waist, teamed with grey wide-leg trousers.

Actress Riley Keough, who is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, arrived in a black Chanel parka worn as a minidress.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was pictured arriving at the Festival in a black, hooded, halterneck gown with a cut-out detail at the ribcage.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett, known for a red carpet rewear, delved into her wardrobe to choose a pocketed Armani Privé gown that she last wore to the SAG awards in 2022 for the La Grazia premiere.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton interrupted her monochrome black and white ensemble with a peachy pink lip at the La Grazia premiere.

Noomi Rapace played with the proportions of her slashed fabric Courrèges dress by adding a headband at the Mother red carpet.

Heidi Klum

Heidi and Leni Klum have a mother-daughter moment on the La Grazia red carpet.

Amal and George Clooney were the first to step off their water taxi to arrive at the film festival. Amal wore a butter yellow halter dress and bag by Balmain, which she paired with Prada shoes. George was well coordinated, matching his suede belt to his loafers.

Laura Dern chose a floral patterned skirt by Brit brand Emilia Wickstead which she paired with a white blouse, and accessories by Roger Vivier.

George Clooney

George Clooney changed for his second appearance of the day, choosing navy tailoring and tonal blue sunnies.

Laura Dern waved to the crowds, wearing an off the shoulder blouse, chunky gold chain necklace and sleek bag by Max Mara.

Noomi Rapace chose a brown ensemble for the Mother photocall, layering different tones to sophisticated effect.

Alba Rohrwacher hailed the beginning of autumn in a tweedy ensemble, pairing a pleated skirt with a houndstooth blazer and suede boots.

Emma Stone was more low key in her arrival, shading behind sunglasses and a cap as she made her way to the festival. She is due to make a red carpet appearance at the premiere of her film Bugonia tomorrow.