The 81st Venice International Film Festival opened with the world premiere of Tim Burton's long-awaited sequel, 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice', featuring original stars Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, alongside new cast members such as Jenna Ortega. The festival, running until September 7, showcases 21 films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion, including Halina Reijn's 'Babygirl', and Todd Phillips' 'Joker: Folie à Deux', which is presented as a musical. Other notable entries include Angelina Jolie's portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's 'Maria', and Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Room Next Door', starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. The jury, chaired by French actress Isabelle Huppert, will select winners for the festival's various awards. The event marks the unofficial beginning of the awards season leading up to the Oscars, providing a platform for films to gain critical attention and buzz. As the festival progresses, its influence on the upcoming awards season will be closely watched.