George Clooney to receive Venice Film Festival career Golden Lion

The Biennale said Monday that George

Clooney will receive the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion for

Lifetime Achievement at this year's event, which takes place

September 2-12, 2026.

"I've had so many extraordinary moments in Venice," said the

65-year-old American actor, director and producer.

"This festival is without question my favourite and to be given

the Golden Lion is a tremendous honour.

"It also probably means I'm old, but I'll take it".

Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the world's oldest

cinema festival, described the twice Oscar winner as a "complete

and charismatic artist... who has transformed a deep vocation

into one of the most luminous parabolas of contemporary film.

"He is endowed with the gift of making his characters seem not

only credible but desirable, approachable, and human, thanks to

his undeniable charm," Barbera said.

"But Clooney's charisma is constructed on his credibility, not

on his image, because his seductive side has never been merely

aesthetic.

"A perfect combination of the star glamour of days gone by,

remarkable professionalism, and modern sensitivity, the actor

has crossed the genres with rare versatility".

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