Only films presented as world premieres that meet the following criteria are eligible for selection: · Films that were completed after 7 September 2024; · Films that have not had any form of commercial distribution or exhibition on the Internet; · Films that neither have been previously screened to the public and/or the press, nor have been presented at any other International film festival or cinematographic event, including those in the country of origin. 3.1 An International competition comprising a maximum of 21 feature-length films presented as world premiere. 3.2 Out of Competition Some of the most important works of the year will be presented in the non-competing section, for a maximum of 20 films; to these will be added the films produced within the Biennale College-Cinema program. They may include the works of established authors who have participated in previous editions of the Venice Film Festival, or films in which the spectacular dimension is accompanied by forms of expressive and/or narrative originality, and documentaries. 3.3 Orizzonti An international competition reserved for a maximum of 19 films, dedicated to films that represent the latest aesthetic and expressive trends in international cinema, with special attention to debut films, young or not yet firmly established talents, indie features and lesser-known cinema. The Orizzonti section features a selection of competing short films lasting a maximum of 20 minutes, selected on the basis of criteria such as quality and originality of language and expression. 3.4 Orizzonti Extra This non-competitive section – but eventually with the possibility of assigning an Audience Award - features a selection of up to a maximum of 10 works of different genres, lengths and targets (provided their length is more than 60 minutes), with a particular attention to works that address specific genres and current production, with the aim of innovationg and demostrationg creative originality in the relationship with the public their are meant for. Each film will be preceded and accompanied by public encounters and conversations with the directors, actors and personalities from the world of art and culture. 3.5 Venice Classics This section features the world premiere screenings of a selection of the finest restorations of classic films carried out over the past year by film libraries, cultural institutions and productions around the world, committed to the preservation and cultivation of the cinematographic heritage and the rediscovery of neglected or undervalued works of the past, for a maximum of 18 titles. The section may be completed with the presentation of documentaries about cinema or individual authors of yesteryear or today, that can offer innovative elements for historical and critical assessment. 3.6 Venice Immersive The title of Venice VR Expanded is changed to Venice Immersive to embrace the growth of immersive media beyond Virtual Reality technologies to include all XR means of creative expression. Venice Immersive will be held in presence on the Isle of Lazzaretto Vecchio (Venice Immersive Island), and present in competition a maximum of 30 Immersive Media Projects as world-premieres or international premieres. 360 videos, 3 DOF and 6 DOF interactive XR works, of any length, including installations and virtual worlds are eligible. A maximum of 10 projects will be presented Out of Competition in the section “Best of Immersive” by invitation of the Direction only, chosen among the best works that have been released or premiered elsewhere during the past 12 months since the last edition of the Venice International Film Festival The works of the teams participating in the sixth edition of the Biennale College Cinema-VR will be also presented as part of the official selection.