While the competition of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival moves forward, the cinematic show business—or farándula, as it is known in Spanish—continues to feed the headlines of accredited press covering the event.

American actor George Clooney, honored with a lifetime achievement Golden Lion, has emerged as one of the central figures in the festival’s opening days, according to international media outlets. Also a director, screenwriter, and producer, the Hollywood star used his public appearances to speak on freedom of expression, artificial intelligence, media concentration, and to strongly question the political landscape of his country, particularly President Donald Trump.

The glamour has also featured Sydney Sweeney, Kendall Jenner, Georgina Rodríguez, Amal Clooney, and sisters Kate and Rooney Mara among the personalities who have walked the Venetian red carpets during the first half of the event, which runs through September 12.

Actress Sweeney drew attention outside the screenings after attending an Armani Beauty gathering alongside Scooter Braun, wearing a vintage Giorgio Armani dress from the Fall-Winter 2000 collection—quickly becoming one of the festival’s most talked-about fashion moments.

Another episode followed by the celebrity press was the appearance of Georgina Rodríguez, who surprised with a Gucci ensemble paired with high-end jewelry, marking one of her first major public outings following her wedding to Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the festival only at its midway point, Venice thus maintains its traditional balance between art-house cinema, blockbuster productions, cultural discourse, and media spectacle.