The 82nd Venice International Film Festival wrapped up on September 6, 2025, after 10 days of premieres, red carpets, and, of course, cinema. Beyond the celebrity glamour, the festival provided plenty of interesting data points. From record-breaking standing ovations to political statements and refreshing Campari spritzes, here's a look at Venice Film Festival, by the numbers.

Standing Ovations: A Measure of Impact

Standing ovations have become a staple of film festivals, serving as an immediate, if not always reliable, indicator of a film's reception. This year, the festival saw some truly remarkable displays of appreciation. "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a docudrama about a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli troops in Gaza, received the longest ovation, clocking in at a staggering 22 minutes, according to Variety, and 23 minutes according to BBC. This surpassed the previous record of 18 minutes held by "The Room Next Door" in the previous year. The film deeply resonated with audiences, especially in light of the anti-war protests that took place near the festival venue.

Other films that garnered lengthy applause included:

• "The Testament of Ann Lee": Mona Fastvold's film earned a full 15 minutes of standing ovation.
• "The Smashing Machine": Benny Safdie's film, starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, also received a 15-minute ovation. Johnson was seen shedding tears during the applause.
• "Frankenstein": Guillermo del Toro's version of the classic tale earned a 14-minute standing ovation.
• "A House of Dynamite": Kathryn Bigelow's thriller got 11-plus minutes.
• "The Wizard of the Kremlin": Olivier Assayas' film, featuring Jude Law as Vladimir Putin, received around 10 minutes of applause.
• "Jay Kelly": The new film from Noah Baumbach starring Adam Sandler and George Clooney, received 9.5 minutes of applause.
• "No Other Choice": Park Chan-wook's film was applauded for 7.27 minutes.
• "Bugonia": Yorgos Lanthimos's Bugonia received 6.28 minutes of applause.
• "After the Hunt": Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt" earned around 5 minutes of applause.
• "La Grazia": Paolo Sorrentino's "La Grazia" started the festival with 5.17 minutes of applause.

It's worth noting that standing ovation times can vary depending on the source, as different publications may use different methods of measurement.

Competition and Awards

Out of nearly 2,000 feature film submissions, only a small percentage were selected for the festival. The selection process is highly competitive, with films needing to have been completed after September 7, 2024, and making their world premiere at Venice to be eligible. Ultimately, 21 films were in the running for the coveted Golden Lion.

The Main Competition jury, led by American filmmaker Alexander Payne, awarded the Golden Lion to Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother". Other major awards included:

• Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: The Voice of Hind Rajab.
• Silver Lion for Best Director: Benny Safdie for The Smashing Machine.
• Best Actress: Xin Zhilei for The Sun Rises on Us All.
• Best Actor: Toni Servillo for La Grazia.

Werner Herzog and Kim Novak received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

Politics and Protests

The festival wasn't just about cinema; real-world issues also took center stage. The war in Gaza was a prominent topic, with protests and calls for boycotts. "The Voice of Hind Rajab" served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict. Other films, such as Kathryn Bigelow's "A House of Dynamite" and Olivier Assayas' "The Wizard of the Kremlin," tackled pressing political issues such as nuclear weapons and the rise of Vladimir Putin.

The Taste of Venice: Campari Spritzes

No Venice Film Festival experience is complete without indulging in a Campari Spritz. This simple yet refreshing cocktail, a mix of Campari, prosecco, and soda water, is a ubiquitous sight around the festival's headquarters. Usually selling for around 4 euros, these bright orange drinks provide a quintessential taste of Venice. Campari has been a main sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival for four years, organizing events to promote dialogue between established and emerging talent.

The 82nd Venice Film Festival offered a mix of cinematic excellence, celebrity moments, and thought-provoking discussions. From the length of the standing ovations to the number of Campari spritzes consumed, the numbers tell a story of a vibrant and impactful event.