The 2026 Venice Film Festival is underway, with its second day drawing attention to major filmmakers and red-carpet appearances, according to multiple Italian outlets. Coverage from ANSA and Internazionale highlights a day of masters, featuring director Werner Herzog and filmmaker Martin McDonagh, whose latest works have become central talking points at the event.
Vanity Fair Italia, in a separate retrospective piece published on September 3, 2026, looks back at the most striking celebrity couples who have walked the Venice red carpet over the past 20 years. The magazine’s list serves as a cultural snapshot of the festival’s enduring role as a stage for glamour and public pairings, from longtime partners to festival-season romances.
Local news site VeneziaToday has also reported on the day’s film schedule and the actors expected on the red carpet, while Il Post confirmed the festival’s opening. Internazionale’s review of the early screenings notes a strong reception for Herzog’s latest film, while describing a new work from director Danny Boyle as lacking impact—a contrast that has shaped early critical conversation at the Lido.
The festival’s second day appears to balance artistic milestones with its signature celebrity spectacle. Herzog’s presence, in particular, has been framed by critics as a highlight, reinforcing his status as a veteran force in cinema. Meanwhile, the Vanity Fair retrospective reminds audiences that the red carpet remains a key part of the festival’s identity, drawing attention to the couples who have defined its visual history.
As the festival continues, filmgoers and critics alike will be watching whether Herzog’s film maintains its early momentum and how McDonagh’s entry is received in the coming days.
