George Clooney was celebrated with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Wednesday. The actor, 65, appeared in high spirits at a photocall ahead of the ceremony, playfully posing for photographers. He donned a navy suit with an open-collar white shirt, waving to fans and taking selfies.
This recognition comes as Clooney, a familiar face at the festival for nearly three decades, has experienced numerous significant moments in Venice. His first appearance was with the film "Out Of Sight." The festival also hosted the debut of "Good Night, And Good Luck," for which he received his first Best Director Oscar nomination. Last year, he attended to promote "Jay Kelly," a film where his character receives a lifetime achievement award, making this year's honor a full-circle moment.
The Venice Film Festival commenced with the premiere of Danny Boyle's "Ink," a drama focusing on media magnate Rupert Murdoch. The festival is scheduled to conclude on September 12 with the Italian costume drama "Dio Ride (God Laughs)."
Maggie Gyllenhaal will serve as the jury president for the main competition. She is joined by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, English composer Daniel Blumberg, Italian film critic Francesco Casetti, French director Xavier Giannoli, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong director Johnnie To.
Stars expected at this year's festival include Noel and Liam Gallagher, Rooney and Kate Mara, Robert Pattinson, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, Pamela Anderson, Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, Louis Garrel, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Ellen Burstyn, who is also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prior to the festival's events, Clooney and his wife, Amal, celebrated with a date night at their Venice wedding venue, the Aman Venice hotel. Amal, 48, wore a white dress for the occasion, and George, 65, was seen in a grey suit.
The couple has reportedly been staying at their Lake Como home to avoid wildfires that affected southern France, where their primary residence is located in Brignoles. Clooney had previously expressed his commitment to the Brignoles community in a letter to the mayor, detailing their evacuation and pledging support for the town's recovery.