Venice Replaces Opening Jury Press Conference with Cocktail Hour

Venice told Variety its traditional opening jury press conference will "probably not" take place in 2026, citing a scheduling conflict; a welcome cocktail hour replaces it. The 2025 session was dominated by Gaza questions; then-jury president Alexander Payne said he felt "unprepared" to answer. The 83rd Venice festival runs 2–12 September, opening with Danny Boyle's "Ink."