The 2026 Venice International Film Festival will showcase a curated selection of 19 restored classic films in its Venice Classics section, featuring world premiere screenings of restorations completed over the past year by film archives, cultural institutions, and production companies from around the world.
This year's lineup is a testament to the power of technology-driven restoration, with films such as John Cassavetes' Minnie and Moskowitz (1971), Roger Corman's The Wild Angels (1966), and Luis Buñuel's La Ilusión Viaja en Tranvía (1954) being presented in meticulously restored form.
The selection will open with a pre-festival screening of Tinto Brass' Col Cuore in Gola (1967), and will also feature Italian cinema classics such as Ettore Scola's Brutti, Sporchi e Cattivi (1976) and Florestano Vancini's La Lunga Notte del '43 (1960).
The lineup is not limited to Italian cinema, with films from around the world being represented, including Dev Benegal's English, August (1993), Ann Hui's Woo Yuet Dik Goo Si (1981), and Jaromil Jireš' Valerie a Týden Divů (1970).
Daniele Vicari will chair the Venice Classics jury, comprising 24 film students nominated by professors from Italian universities, who will award the Venice Classics prize for Best Restored Film.
The 84th Venice Film Festival will run from September 2-12, with the official lineup being unveiled on July 23.
The restoration of these classic films is a significant undertaking, requiring the use of cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail. The process involves the use of digital tools to repair and enhance the original film elements, resulting in a final product that is faithful to the original while also being accessible to modern audiences.
The impact of technology on the film industry is not limited to restoration, with automation and workflow transformation playing an increasingly important role in the production and distribution of films. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is being explored in areas such as editing, visual effects, and sound design, and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in the coming years.
