7 reasons why Venice is the world’s most glamorous film festival

Harriet Verney, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 9:18 AM EDT, Tue August 27, 2019
VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Jennifer Lawrence attends the Gala Screening and World Premiere of 'mother!' during the 74th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 5, 2017 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
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The world's most glamorous film festival?
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VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Jennifer Lawrence attends the Gala Screening and World Premiere of 'mother!' during the 74th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 5, 2017 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
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Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in September 2017.

CNN  — 

Founded in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and, in many respects, the most traditionally glamorous.

Perhaps it has to do with the canals. Stars navigating the city by boat have turned its canals into floating red carpets – perfect for a photo-op, as decades of celebrities and photographers have found out.

The A-list guests of this year's Venice Film Festival have upheld its stylish legacy. Penelope Cruz attended the premiere of her film "Loving Pablo," in an Atelier Versace gown. The film depicts the controversial love story between drug lord Pablo Escobar and the glamorous journalist Virginia Vallejo (played by Cruz).
The A-list guests of this year's Venice Film Festival have upheld its stylish legacy. Penelope Cruz attended the premiere of her film "Loving Pablo," in an Atelier Versace gown. The film depicts the controversial love story between drug lord Pablo Escobar and the glamorous journalist Virginia Vallejo (played by Cruz).
Stefania D'Alessandro/WireImage/Getty Images
Jennifer Lawrence walked the red carpet at the opening of her new film "Mother!" wearing a Dior gown. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film has been well-received by critics.
Jennifer Lawrence walked the red carpet at the opening of her new film "Mother!" wearing a Dior gown. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film has been well-received by critics.
Filippo Monteforte/Getty Images
Sisters Kate Mulleavy (far left) and Laura Mulleavy (far right) of American fashion house Rodarte premiered their first feature-length film, "Woodshock," at this year's festival. The lead role is played by friend and muse Kirsten Dunst (middle) with actors Pilou Asbaek (second from right) and Alberto Barbera (second from left) joining the cast as well.
Sisters Kate Mulleavy (far left) and Laura Mulleavy (far right) of American fashion house Rodarte premiered their first feature-length film, "Woodshock," at this year's festival. The lead role is played by friend and muse Kirsten Dunst (middle) with actors Pilou Asbaek (second from right) and Alberto Barbera (second from left) joining the cast as well.
Stefania D'Alessandro/WireImage/Getty Images
Kristen Wiig joined co-stars at the premiere of Venice's opening film "Downsizing."
Kristen Wiig joined co-stars at the premiere of Venice's opening film "Downsizing."
Lehman/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
George Clooney is a regular at the Venice Film Festival. This year he attended with wife Amal Clooney for the screening of his latest directorial feat "Suburbicon."
George Clooney is a regular at the Venice Film Festival. This year he attended with wife Amal Clooney for the screening of his latest directorial feat "Suburbicon."
Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/Getty Images
Academy Award-winner and political activist Susan Sarandon channels Old Hollywood style on the red carpet at this year's Venice Film Festival.
Academy Award-winner and political activist Susan Sarandon channels Old Hollywood style on the red carpet at this year's Venice Film Festival.
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
The Franca Sozzani Award was presented to Julianne Moore this year. The prize is named after the Italian Vogue Editor who died in December, 2016.
The Franca Sozzani Award was presented to Julianne Moore this year. The prize is named after the Italian Vogue Editor who died in December, 2016.
Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/Getty Images
The winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, Jane Fonda joined fellow acting legend Robert Redford in receiving the acclaimed prize.
The winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, Jane Fonda joined fellow acting legend Robert Redford in receiving the acclaimed prize.
Dominique Charriau/WireImage
George Clooney and Julianne Moore arrive by boat, in true Venetian style, for a photo call.
George Clooney and Julianne Moore arrive by boat, in true Venetian style, for a photo call.
Jacopo Raule/GC Images/Getty Images
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer attended the premiere of "The Shape of Water" -- an otherworldly fairytale directed by Guillero del Toro set in Cold War era America in 1962.
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer attended the premiere of "The Shape of Water" -- an otherworldly fairytale directed by Guillero del Toro set in Cold War era America in 1962.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Italian socialite, writer and actor Marina Ripa Di Meana is renowned for her hats. Past pieces have included a bird cage and a giant spider. This year she attended the festival donning a hat shaped like a three-tiered cake.
Italian socialite, writer and actor Marina Ripa Di Meana is renowned for her hats. Past pieces have included a bird cage and a giant spider. This year she attended the festival donning a hat shaped like a three-tiered cake.
Awakening/REX/Shutterstock/AP
Colin Firth is no stranger to the Venice Film Festival. In 2009 he won the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor, for his role in Tom Ford's "A Single Man."
Colin Firth is no stranger to the Venice Film Festival. In 2009 he won the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor, for his role in Tom Ford's "A Single Man."
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Actors Ali Fazal and Judi Dench star in "Victoria and Abdul" -- the story of Britain's Queen Victoria and her friendship with an Indian clerk.
Actors Ali Fazal and Judi Dench star in "Victoria and Abdul" -- the story of Britain's Queen Victoria and her friendship with an Indian clerk.
Joel Ryan/Invision/AP
A detail shot of blogger Margaret Zhang's attire on the red carpet.
A detail shot of blogger Margaret Zhang's attire on the red carpet.
Canio Romaniello/SilverHub/REX/S/AP
Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren debuted their film "The Leisure Seeker," which follows a couple on their final trip together.
Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren debuted their film "The Leisure Seeker," which follows a couple on their final trip together.
Joel Ryan/Invision/AP
Italian model Bianca Balti takes on the red carpet with businessman Stefano Beraldo.
Italian model Bianca Balti takes on the red carpet with businessman Stefano Beraldo.
Lehman/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
British actor Rebecca Hall is one of the jury members at this year's festival, alongside Annette Bening. the head of the jury. Bening is the first woman to be in this position since 2006.
British actor Rebecca Hall is one of the jury members at this year's festival, alongside Annette Bening. the head of the jury. Bening is the first woman to be in this position since 2006.
Lehman/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
Guests arrive for the opening ceremony of the festival on the Venice Lido.
Guests arrive for the opening ceremony of the festival on the Venice Lido.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Victoria's Secret model Izabel Goulart poses on a boat.
Victoria's Secret model Izabel Goulart poses on a boat.
Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images
Venice Film Festival 2017

Or maybe it’s the artistic flare the festival encourages: Andy Warhol, Steve McQueen and Ai Weiwei are just a few of the artists-turned-film-makers who have premiered films at the Italian festival.

Watch the video above for a closer look at what sets Venice apart from the other festivals on the circuit, from the abundance of couture to the city’s most famed buildings.