The Venice Film Festival will show you: No Market, No Problem
The Venice Film Festival 2025 is proving once again that it doesn’t need a formal marketplace to generate major industry buzz. Unlike Cannes with its Marché du Film or Berlin with its European Film Market, Venice remains a space where deals happen quietly — in hotel suites along the Lido or over spritzes by the waterfront. Yet despite the absence of a structured marketplace, the festival continues to be a critical hub for art house films, prestige dramas, and star-driven projects looking to gain traction with international buyers.
For distributors, Venice offers a different kind of opportunity. Instead of quick presales and financing packages, the focus is on building momentum, generating critical acclaim, and creating the kind of word-of-mouth that can lead to lucrative deals at festivals like Toronto or Telluride.
This year’s slate is packed with political thrillers, documentaries, and crossover art house titles — including new films featuring Oscar Isaac, Amanda Seyfried, and Mads Mikkelsen. Below, we take a closer look at the most talked-about titles generating heat at Venice 2025.
100 Nights of Hero – A Bold Fairy Tale Reinvention
Director: Julia Jackman
Stars: Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe, Emma Corrin, Charli XCX, Richard E. Grant, Felicity Jones
Adapted from Isabel Greenberg’s celebrated graphic novel, 100 Nights of Hero reimagines a fairy tale filled with forbidden love, seduction, and survival. The film weaves together 100 haunting stories in a lush, artistic style that promises both critical and commercial crossover potential. With an ensemble cast blending fresh talent and established names, this debut positions Jackman as a bold new voice in fantasy-driven cinema.
Below the Clouds – Gianfranco Rosi’s Naples Homage
Director: Gianfranco Rosi
Known for award-winning documentaries like Fire at Sea and Sacro GRA, Rosi returns with Below the Clouds, a lyrical exploration of everyday life in Naples. This is the third part of his trilogy on Italian society and is expected to draw strong interest from buyers seeking prestige documentaries with cinematic artistry.
Cover-Up – Laura Poitras Tackles Investigative Journalism
Directors: Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus
Oscar-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras teams up with Obenhaus to spotlight legendary journalist Seymour Hersh, who famously exposed the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War. With themes of truth, accountability, and journalistic courage, Cover-Up is already drawing buzz among documentary distributors and festival programmers.
Dead Man’s Wire – Gus Van Sant Delivers a True-Crime Thriller
Director: Gus Van Sant
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo, Al Pacino, Dacre Montgomery, Myha’la
Venice audiences are eager for Dead Man’s Wire, Van Sant’s dramatization of a tense 1977 hostage crisis in Indianapolis. The star-studded cast and real-life crime backdrop make it a compelling commercial prospect with awards potential. Expect this to attract independent distributors seeking a mix of star power and gripping storytelling.
Hijra – A Saudi Drama with Global Resonance
Director: Shahad Ameen
Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen (known for Scales) presents Hijra, a desert-set drama exploring the bond between women across generations. With striking visuals and cultural authenticity, this project is a major draw for specialty buyers interested in Middle Eastern cinema.
In the Hand of Dante – A Star-Studded Literary Adaptation
Director: Julian Schnabel
Stars: Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, Martin Scorsese, John Malkovich
Perhaps one of the biggest prestige titles of the festival, In the Hand of Dante adapts Nick Tosches’ novel about a handwritten manuscript of The Divine Comedy. With an extraordinary ensemble cast led by Oscar Isaac, alongside cameos from industry icons like Martin Scorsese, this is shaping up to be one of the most sought-after acquisitions in Venice.
Lost Land – Migration and Identity Explored
Director: Akio Fujimoto
Japanese-born, Vietnam-raised filmmaker Akio Fujimoto continues his exploration of migration and displacement with Lost Land, an international co-production spanning Japan, France, Malaysia, and Germany. With timely themes of identity and belonging, this film is already on the radar for socially conscious distributors.
Motor City – A Gritty 1970s Revenge Tale
Director: Potsy Ponciroli
Stars: Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster, Shailene Woodley, Pablo Schreiber
Set in 1970s Detroit, Motor City tells the story of an ex-con seeking revenge against the gangster who framed him. With Alan Ritchson (of Reacher) leading a strong cast, this gritty period thriller has clear potential for mainstream distributors seeking stylish action-driven fare.
Nuestra Tierra (Landmarks) – A Political and Poetic Documentary
Director: Lucrecia Martel
Celebrated Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel brings Nuestra Tierra, a moving documentary about the assassination of indigenous leader Javier Chocobar. With themes of colonial legacy and human rights, it is likely to attract activist distributors and international doc buyers.
Rose of Nevada – Indie Sci-Fi with Time-Travel Mystery
Director: Mark Jenkin
Stars: George MacKay, Callum Turner
Following his acclaimed films Bait and Enys Men, Cornish director Mark Jenkin returns with Rose of Nevada, a science fiction tale of two fishermen transported through time. With its experimental aesthetic, this could become one of Venice’s indie breakout hits.
The Last Viking – Mads Mikkelsen Returns in Dark Comedy
Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Jensen reunites with Mads Mikkelsen for The Last Viking, a quirky Scandinavian tale mixing crime, comedy, and existential adventure. Mikkelsen’s global appeal ensures that this title will attract international buyers eager for European dark comedies.
The Testament of Ann Lee – Amanda Seyfried in a Historical Musical
Director: Mona Fastvold
Stars: Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman
Amanda Seyfried takes center stage as Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Shakers, in this ambitious historical drama musical. With its blend of history, music, and a stellar cast, the film is likely to attract art house distributors seeking prestige titles.
The Wizard of the Kremlin – Olivier Assayas Delivers Political Intrigue
Director: Olivier Assayas
Stars: Paul Dano, Jude Law, Alicia Vikander
Based on Giuliano da Empoli’s bestselling novel, The Wizard of the Kremlin explores political intrigue during the fall of the USSR and the rise of Putin. With a high-profile cast including Jude Law and Paul Dano, this film combines literary prestige with global relevance.
Tired of Killing – Inside the Mafia’s Dark World
Director: Daniele Vicari
Set in Calabria, Tired of Killing offers a raw portrayal of Italy’s notorious ’Ndrangheta mafia. Adapted from Antonio Zagari’s autobiographical novel, the film provides a rare inside perspective on organized crime, making it a must-watch for crime drama enthusiasts and festival buyers.
Why Venice Still Matters Without a Market
The Venice Film Festival proves that an official market isn’t necessary to drive international buzz. By premiering high-profile projects with global stars like Oscar Isaac, Amanda Seyfried, and Mads Mikkelsen, the festival positions itself as a launchpad for art house cinema, documentaries, and prestige dramas. Deals may not be signed on the spot, but Venice continues to shape the trajectory of films heading into Toronto, New York, and awards season.
With a lineup that balances political urgency, cultural storytelling, and star-driven spectacle, Venice 2025 reminds us why it remains one of the most important festivals in the world — even without a marketplace.
