George Clooney to receive Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival

Festival to honour Clooney at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, running 2–12 September. George Clooney is to be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, La Biennale di Venezia announced on Monday. The decision to honour the American actor, director and producer was taken by the Biennale's board of directors on the recommendation of festival artistic director Alberto Barbera. In advance of receiving the award, Clooney said Venice was without question his favourite festival, joking that receiving the Golden Lion "probably means I'm old, but I'll take it." Versatility and charisma Announcing the award, Barbera praised Clooney's rare versatility across genres, from war films such as Three Kings and Syriana to comedies including Ocean's Eleven, and from science fiction with Gravity to bittersweet dramas such as The Descendants and Jay Kelly. Barbera said Clooney's charisma was built on credibility rather than image, and highlighted his work behind the camera on films including Good Night, and Good Luck and The Ides of March as reflecting a demanding and generous vision of cinema, alongside his long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes. A career spanning acting, directing and activism Clooney rose to fame playing Dr Doug Ross on the NBC drama ER before establishing himself as a leading actor and filmmaker. He has won two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, a BAFTA and an Emmy, and holds the record for the most Oscar nominations across different categories of any individual in Academy history. He recently earned a Tony nomination for his Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck. Beyond the screen, Clooney has been closely associated with humanitarian work, particularly relating to Darfur and Sudan, including co-founding the advocacy organisation Not On Our Watch and the Satellite Sentinel Project, and has received a UN Messenger of Peace designation for his efforts. The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement will be presented during the festival, which takes place on the Lido from 2 to 12 September 2026. Photo credit: Silvi Photo / Shutterstock.com