Cristina and I were in Venice to attend the 75. Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica, a cultural extravaganza culminating with the assignment of the Leone d’Oro award, (Golden Lion), a trophy in the shape of the traditional lion of Saint Marc, appointed by an international jury of movie professionals. Renowned film director Guillermo del Toro was this year president of the panel.

Since our credentials allowed us to attend all screenings and events, but not the opening and closing ceremony, the press-conferences and the red-carpet madness, we decided to profit of the many events happening this season in Venice and explore parts of the Laguna that we never visited before.

A full – kind of – account of our stay can be found here (in Italian). Following is a selection of 40 of the photographs that I shot during my sojourn at the Lido.

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 65 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 2500

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 1400

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 2800

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 2200

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 50 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 4000

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 12800

Banksy in Venice. Fondamenta Zattere ai Gesuiti, September 2018. Nikon D810, 105 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/8 ISO 200

16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 64

Untitled. 16. Biennale Architettura. Arsenale di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 64

An installation inside the Padiglione Italia in the Giardini of the 16. Biennale Architettura. Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 52 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/4 ISO 250

Red Underware Burano, Venice Laguna. September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/4 ISO 140

Burano, Venice Laguna. September 2018. Nikon D810, 20 mm (20 mm ƒ/1.8) 1/200″ ƒ/10 ISO 125

Burano, Venice Laguna. September 2018. Nikon D810, 20 mm (20 mm ƒ/1.8) 1/200″ ƒ/10 ISO 64

Burano, Venice Laguna. September 2018

Burano, Venice Laguna. September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/10 ISO 80

Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 210 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250″ ƒ/5.3 ISO 180

A courtyard in Cannaregio. Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/8 ISO 640

A crowd gathers on the steps of the Basilica della Salute for the Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 80 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600″ ƒ/4.5 ISO 450

The Bucintoro in front of Punta della Dogana. Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 80 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600″ ƒ/4.5 ISO 100

Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 260 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600″ ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018

Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 80 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600″ ƒ/4.5 ISO 110

The Bucintoro in front of the authority tribune at St. Tomà during the Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 80 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600″ ƒ/4.5 ISO 100

A young competitor leading the race attendant the Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 400 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250″ ƒ/7.1 ISO 360

A woman wearing a traditional outfit during the Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018

A young competitor during the race attendant the Historical Regatta. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018

Jewish Ghetto of Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/8 ISO 200

Canal Grande from the Accademia Bridge. Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 44 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

An egret watching the Historical Regatta near the Rialto bridge. Canal Grande, Venice, September 2018

A father escorts his daughter to church for her wedding. Murano, Venice Laguna, September 2018. Nikon D810, 120 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/250″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

Macelleria da Sergio. Murano, Venice Laguna, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/4 ISO 64

70 Fondamenta Manin. Murano, Venice Laguna, September 2018. Nikon D810, 16 mm (16 mm ƒ/2.8) 1/640″ ƒ/4 ISO 64

An event in the Napoleonic Ballroom inside the Museo Correr. Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 0,8″ ƒ/11 ISO 200

Pellestrina, Pellestrina island. Venice Laguna, September 2018. Nikon D810, 82 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/200″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

Photo-call: Michele Riondino in front of the Palazzo del Casinò. 75. Mostra Internazionale del Cinema, Lido di Venezia, September 2018.

Piazza San Marco. Venice, September 2018. Nikon D750, 400 mm (80-400 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1000″ ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

75. Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica. Lido di Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/160″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

A sculpture inside the Giardini della Marinaressa, Venice, September 2018. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/14 ISO 80

Regatta of vintage sailboats. Bacino di San Marco, Venezia, September 2018. Nikon D810, 85 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/125″ ƒ/14 ISO 64

Lounge Campari, Main Sponsor, at 75^ Edition of the Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia. September 2018. Nikon D810, 48 mm (24-120 mm ƒ/4) 1/160″ ƒ/8 ISO 11400