Come to Venice with IndieWire

While much of the film industry’s attention is currently pointed at Cannes, we’re only a few months away from the fall festival season. No event on the fall calendar looms larger than the Venice International Film Festival, which sees auteurs and movie stars from around the world descend upon the Lido for the world’s oldest film festival. In addition to serving as the de facto launch of Oscar season, the festival’s Golden Lion trophies are some of the most coveted filmmaking awards in the world.

It’s a bucket list experience of any cinephile — and this year, IndieWire is offering a chance to experience the historic festival for yourself. Applications for our Future of Filmmaking Venice Intensive are now open through The American Pavilion. Applications for the 2026 Venice Intensive will remain open through the late deadline on Monday, July 6. Anyone interested in attending can find more information and complete the online application here.

The program, which runs from Tuesday, September 1 through Wednesday, September 9, offers festival access and an Italian vacation at the same time. In addition to attending movie premieres, networking with industry professionals, and attending educational events that prepare you for a career in entertainment, attendees will enjoy cultural experiences such as outings to the islands of Murano and Burano.

The program fee includes eight nights of accommodations in Venice, festival accreditation (which affords access to both traditional film screenings and the Venice Immersive Island), exclusive programming, local transportation, and American Pavilion alumni membership that includes access to exclusive events in New York City and Los Angeles after the program ends.

“I think the highlight for me was meeting different people from the industry, both from the round tables and just outside during the festival,” program alum Kevin Veguilla of Fitchburg State University wrote in his evaluation of the experience. “Talking to these people who all have different backgrounds and jobs helps tremendously in learning more about the ins and outs of the film industry currently.”

And if this year’s dates don’t work for you, it’s never too late to start thinking about next year’s travel plans. IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Intensives offer year-round opportunities for students and early career professionals to attend film festivals, with additional programs centered around Cannes, SXSW, and SXSW London.