Venice Fest Adds New Doc Section: Musk, Oasis Films Debut

This year's Venice Film Festival introduces an exciting new documentary category, Venice Open Non Fiction, reflecting a significant increase in high-caliber submissions. Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera stated that the sheer volume and quality of documentaries made it necessary to create this dedicated space. The section will feature nineteen diverse films, showcasing master filmmakers from more than a dozen countries.

Among the highly anticipated titles are Alex Gibney's four-hour documentary, "Musk," which explores the controversial tech mogul's rise and influence, and "Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger," a film detailing the British rock band's recent reunion tour. Other notable entries include "Everest: The Other Side," chronicling a dangerous ski descent, and extended works from Russian director Julia Loktev focusing on journalists in exile.

Additional films will highlight contemporary issues and artist profiles. Barbara Kopple's "Union Town" examines the challenges faced by gig economy workers in New York City, while Russell Crowe documents his musical collective in "What Love Builds." Many of these films are still seeking distribution, with some, like "Musk" and "Everest: The Other Side," slated for U.S. theatrical releases in October 2026.