American director Gus Van Sant, known for iconic films like Good Will Hunting and My Own Private Idaho, will receive the Campari Passion for Film Award at this year’s 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The announcement came today ahead of the festival, which runs from August 27th to September 6th, 2025.
Van Sant will be honoured on September 2nd during a ceremony at the festival’s Sala Grande, just before the screening of his latest film Dead Man’s Wire, starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Myha’la and Al Pacino.
The Campari Passion for Film Award recognises film professionals who transform passion into a bold, creative force. Created in collaboration with the artistic direction of La Biennale di Venezia, the accolade celebrates those who leave a lasting mark on cinematic storytelling—not simply as a lifetime achievement, but as a tribute to their will to stand out.
Speaking about the honour, Van Sant said, “I’m truly honoured to receive the Passion for Film award. My heartfelt thanks to Campari for this recognition — it means a great deal to me. I’m grateful not only for their acknowledgement of my work, but also for their support of one of the world’s great institutions of cinema celebration and exhibition. It’s a privilege to be part of this tradition, and I deeply appreciate the passion they bring to film.”
Alberto Barbera, Director of the Venice International Film Festival, praised Van Sant’s unique position in contemporary cinema. “Gus Van Sant is a unique filmmaker who combines a deeply independent perspective with a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. His cinema moves freely between Hollywood and the circuits of cinéma d’essai, engaging with industry rules without ever being constrained by them, and remaining true to a bold and ever-evolving personal vision. He has made films that have left a lasting mark on the collective imagination, from Drugstore Cowboy to My Own Private Idaho, Elephant, and Milk, interpreting and anticipating the anxieties of multiple generations. A discoverer of talent, he has launched actors such as River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. Forty years after his first feature film, Van Sant remains a fully active artist, ceaselessly capable of reinventing himself, as demonstrated by his latest, remarkable film Dead Man’s Wire.”
Alberto Ponchio, senior marketing director at Campari Group, added, “We’re honoured to once again present the official ‘Campari Passion for Film Award,’ created in collaboration with the Festival’s Artistic Direction. Since its launch seven years ago, the award recognises professionals who contribute to the excellence of cinematic art, highlighting the creativity and passion behind each movie’s artistic vision. This year, we celebrate Gus Van Sant, a talented American director and screenwriter, one of the foremost authors of independent cinema, known for his sensitive and realistic exploration of important social and contemporary issues, combined with a strong and sincere passion.”
Since its inception at the 75th Venice Film Festival, the Campari Passion for Film Award has honoured celebrated film artists such as American editor Bob Murawski, Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, American composer Terence Blanchard, British production designer Marcus Rowland, American costume designer Arianne Phillips, and Italian production designers Tonino Zera and Paola Comencini.
