George Clooney received the Honorary Golden Lion at the opening ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2. ^[1] The 80th Venice Film Festival, directed by Alberto Barbera, featured only one film by a female director in its main competition, a decision that drew sharp criticism from the press. ^[2] Clooney emphasized the importance of the arts against fear-mongering, noting that 'the first ones authoritarians try to silence are not politicians, but journalists who ask questions and artists who refuse to accept easy answers'. ^[3] Clooney questioned narratives that generate distrust among citizens, stating that 'we are living in a moment where those who have power and money tell us to fear each other and distrust each other'. ^[4] Laura Dern presented the Honorary Golden Lion to George Clooney at the Palazzo del Cinema in Italy. ^[5] Alberto Barbera, the festival director whose contract was extended until 2028, stated that only one film by a female director was submitted that was suitable for the competition. ^[6] The jury for the festival includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kaouther Ben Hania, Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Francesco Casetti, who will judge 21 competitive entries starting September 2. ^[7] The Russian film 'Dau' by Ilia Kharkhordin, which depicts a Soviet experiment in Ukrainian Kharkiv, faced objections from the Ukrainian government due to its director's past and funding sources. ^[8]