VENICE, Italy (AP) — This week, some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, and Brad Pitt, are set to arrive at the Venice Film Festival.

While the presence of these A-listers on the scenic docks is exciting, especially after last year’s less glamorous festival due to strikes, the true focus will be on the films themselves. Alongside the Cannes Film Festival, Venice—taking place from August 28 to September 7—serves as a premier platform for launching films during the awards season. The movies that shine on the Lido will be the talk of the town leading up to the Oscars in March.

This year’s festival lineup includes a mix of major Hollywood productions, such as “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2”, as well as unique films from talented filmmakers worldwide. At festivals, it’s best to approach with an open mind and watch as many films as possible—you might discover a hidden gem. For now, here are 10 films to look forward to at Venice.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” (Sept. 4)

Regardless of your opinion on the original “Joker” film from five years ago, the fact that its sequel is returning to Venice for competition is exciting. “Joker: Folie à Deux” doesn’t need the festival hype—after all, the first movie grossed over $1 billion and received 11 Oscar nominations. Venice’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, noted that this sequel is entirely different, presenting a dystopian musical that he describes as “one of the most daring, brave, and creative films in recent American cinema,” confirming Todd Phillips’ status as a leading creative director today. The film is set to hit theaters on October 4.

“Maria” (Aug. 29)

Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín is known for his poignant portrayals of famous women with tragic stories (think “Spencer” and “Jackie”). Teaming up with screenwriter Steven Knight and Angelina Jolie, he brings the life of opera singer Maria Callas back to the screen in “Maria.” Callas, who was notorious for her affair with Aristotle Onassis (who later married Jacqueline Kennedy, another of Larraín’s tragic subjects), passed away in 1977 at the age of 53 but remains one of classical music’s best-selling artists. “Maria” is competing for awards while also looking for distribution.

“Queer” (Sept. 3)

Luca Guadagnino returns to Venice with “Queer,” an adaptation of the novel by William S. Burroughs, featuring Daniel Craig in what Barbera has called a “career-defining” role. The story follows an American expatriate in Mexico City who is in search of a drug, leading him to encounter various characters and develop an obsession with a young man. Written in the early 1950s, the novel was only published in 1985 and has seen previous adaptation attempts by others, including Steve Buscemi. “Queer” is also seeking distribution.

“The Room Next Door” (Sept. 2)

Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, which is enough to generate excitement on its own. The plot revolves around a flawed mother and her estranged daughter, stemming from a “profound misunderstanding.” Almodóvar has indicated that the film explores themes such as war, death, friendship, and sexual pleasure, while also celebrating the beauty of waking up to nature in a house located in a New England nature reserve. This film will also appear at the New York Film Festival before its December release.

“Babygirl” (Aug. 30)

Directed by Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn, known for the wildly entertaining film “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” “Babygirl” is an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman (who last graced Venice 25 years ago with “Eyes Wide Shut”). Kidman plays a powerful CEO who becomes involved with a younger intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness,” “The Iron Claw”). Antonio Banderas also joins the cast. A24 is set to release the film in December.

“The Brutalist” (Sept. 1)

This lengthy drama, lasting three and a half hours, is directed by Brady Corbet and follows architect László Toth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) as they navigate life after fleeing Europe post-World War II. In America, Toth is commissioned by industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce) to design a modernist monument, which profoundly impacts their lives. Corbet, known for his unique style, is always an interesting choice, though his films may not appeal to everyone. Focus Features and Universal will distribute the movie, but it currently lacks a release date.

“Youth (Homecoming)” (Sept. 6)

This year’s festival features several innovative documentaries, including Errol Morris’ “Separated,” which examines the Trump administration’s border policies; Asif Kapadia’s forward-looking film “2073”; and “Pavements,” a hybrid documentary by Alex Ross Perry about the band Stephen Malkmus. However, only one documentary is competing in the main category: Wang Bing’s “Youth (Homecoming),” which wraps up his trilogy documenting the lives of migrant workers in Zhili, China’s textile factories over five years. This film is also looking for distribution.

“April” (Sept. 5)

Georgian director Dea Kulumbegashvili’s second film focuses on Nina, an OB-GYN in rural Georgia who performs abortions despite the country’s restrictive laws. When a newborn dies under her care, an investigation sparks rumors about her ethics and professionalism. After the success of her first film, “Happening,” which won the top prize at Venice, many are talking about “April” as a potential standout. Kulumbegashvili’s debut, “Beginning,” made waves on the festival circuit in 2020. “April,” which is seeking a U.S. distributor, is also set to appear at TIFF and the New York Film Festival.

“The Order” (Aug. 31)

Starring and produced by Jude Law, this 1980s-set crime thriller revolves around a white supremacist group that his FBI character suspects is linked to a series of crimes in the Pacific Northwest. Nicholas Hoult plays the charismatic leader of the group in this film directed by Justin Kurzel, which will be released in theaters in December.

“Harvest” (Sept. 3)

Returning to the main competition is Athina Rachel Tsangari, known for “Attenberg” and “Chevalier,” with her adaptation of Jim Crace’s novel “Harvest.” The story is set in a medieval English village where locals target three newcomers as scapegoats for their economic troubles. Star Caleb Landry Jones even sported a Scottish accent during his “Dogman” press tour last year. Mubi holds distribution rights in several European regions, but U.S. release plans are yet to be announced.

BONUS: “Disclaimer” (Aug. 29)

Although it’s not a film, this upcoming series on AppleTV+ premiering on October 11 is produced by Alfonso Cuarón. The seven-episode psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Blanchett portrays a journalist who discovers she is a character in a novel that unveils her dark secret.

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