Pedro Almodovar
FILE - Lady Gaga is surrounded by press and security as she walks down Toronto's King Street for the screening of "Gaga: Five Foot Two" at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 8, 2017. This year, three of the four major fall film festivals, including TIFF are going forward despite the pandemic. Those at the Venice Films Festival acknowledge it hasn’t been anywhere near the same. Masked moviegoers in set-apart seats. A barrier walls off the red carpet to discourage crowds of onlookers. Greetings are kiss-less. TIFF opens on Thursday. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Digital and drive-in, film festivals try to salvage a season

By Jake Coyle Sep. 08, 2020 06:22 PM EDT

Director Pedro Almodovar, right, and actress Tilda Swinton pose on the red carpet of the movie 'The human voice' during the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival at the Venice Lido, Italy, Thursday, Sep. 3, 2020. The Venice Film Festival goes from Sept. 2 through Sept. 12. Italy was among the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and the festival will serve as a celebration of its re-opening and a sign that the film world, largely on pause since March, is coming back as well. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
From Venice, a plea to reopen movie theaters shut by virus

By Nicole Winfield Sep. 04, 2020 02:14 AM EDT

Medical professionals arrive ahead of the start of the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Italy was among the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and the festival will serve as a celebration of its re-opening and a sign that the film world, largely on pause since March, is coming back as well. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Venice reclaims spotlight as 1st COVID-era film fest opens

By Nicole Winfield Sep. 01, 2020 03:21 AM EDT