VENICE, Italy -- The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival is about to begin, with major Hollywood films and stars expected in Italy. The festival kicks off on Wednesday with the world premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” before it opens in theaters worldwide next week.

Here’s everything you need to know.

One of the world's most prestigious film festivals, second only to Cannes , the Venice Film Festival is technically the oldest. Now a reliably star-studded event, it showcases some of the best films in international cinema. It was founded in 1932 as a non-competitive event by the La Biennale di Venezia, hosting films such as “Grand Hotel” and “It Happened One Night.” By 1935, the festival transitioned to an annual event.

The Golden Lion award wouldn’t be introduced until 1949 ("Rashômon” won in 1951). Notable winners throughout history include “Belle de jour” (1967), “Au revoir les enfants” (1987), ”Brokeback Mountain” (2005), ”Somewhere” (2010) and, most recently: “Poor Things.” A film market was inaugurated in 2012, a year that festival director Alberto Barbera credits as a turning point, solidifying Venice as a key destination for award hopefuls.

The festival commences on Aug. 28 with the premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and continues until Sept. 7, when the awards will be announced.

Private water taxis are expected to be brimming with some of Hollywood's biggest names. Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, George Clooney , Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Julianne Moore, Kevin Costner, and Joaquin Phoenix are just a few of the stars expected to grace the festival this week.

Many are relieved after last year’s festival was held during the Hollywood actors strikes , resulting in less fanfare on the red carpets than usual. While this year might not see as many teenage idols (previous years have featured Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet, attracting enthusiastic fans), we can expect some memorable moments from major movie stars.

Among the most anticipated films in competition are: Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux”; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic “Maria,” starring Jolie; the sensual thriller “Babygirl” featuring Kidman and Harris Dickinson from director Halina Reijn; Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ work, “Queer,” with Craig and Jason Schwartzman; and Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film, “The Room Next Door,” starring Moore and Swinton.

There are also several high-profile Hollywood films screening out of competition: “Wolfs,” starring Pitt and Clooney, “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2,” and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The AP’s list of the most anticipated films is available here.

Behind the scenes, there may be some competition for private water taxis to transport the A-listers between their various commitments, or for the best suites at the Belmond Cipriani, but so far no “Don’t Worry Darling” level of drama has emerged. However, remember that “spit-gate” occurred during the festival; It's likely something will grab the internet's attention.

The former couple are officially single but are still involved in legal proceedings regarding matters such as custody, finances, and a winery in France. The festival has thoughtfully planned their film screenings (and arrival/departure times) to avoid any potential encounters. As Barbera told Vanity Fair: “Angelina will be attending on the first day, Thursday the 29th, and will depart immediately afterwards with (“Maria” filmmaker) Pablo Larraín to go to Telluride. Brad will arrive on Saturday, in Venice. There is no chance of them crossing paths at the Lido.”

Venice faced a challenge in attracting the most prominent films for a considerable period. There were always stars and significant films, some of which received Oscar nominations and awards. However, Barbera believes things truly shifted in 2012 when they hosted the premiere of “Gravity,” which went on to win seven Academy Awards that March and established Venice as a launchpad for award campaigns. This trend has only amplified as the Academy membership has become more global. Since 2014, they have hosted the premieres of four best picture winners (“Birdman,” “Spotlight,” “The Shape of Water” and “Nomadland”) and 19 nominated films.

When people think of Venice, they often envision famous landmarks like the Rialto bridge and St. Marks Square. The festival, however, takes place on a separate island, a nearly 7-mile barrier island called the Lido — approximately a 20-minute ferry (vaporetto) ride away, where motorized vehicles, including cars, buses, and bikes, are permitted.

Originally a military outpost in the 12th century, the island transformed into a seaside resort by the end of the 19th century, becoming a favored destination for European aristocrats. In 1932, the Venice Film Festival established its headquarters on the island.

The Hotel Excelsior, a luxurious 5-star establishment dating back to 1908, is the go-to choice for many on the Lido. Quentin Tarantino has even stayed there! However, rooms are in high demand, and numerous other luxury hotels scattered across the islands offer a more secluded experience away from the festival frenzy and paparazzi.

Perhaps the most renowned of these hotels is the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, situated on Guidecca, home to one of Clooney's favorite bars. Then there's the Hotel Danieli, which has appeared in films like “Moonraker” and “Casino Royale,” and often hosts kick-off parties for the festival, in collaboration with trade publication Variety, to welcome the jury. Another popular choice is the Gritti Palace, where celebrities like Pitt and Elizabeth Taylor have stayed. There's also a St. Regis and the Aman Venice, where George and Amal Clooney were married.

The scattered locations of hotels also explain why so many celebrities are photographed on the Excelsior docks: They arrive for the festival, including press conferences and premieres, using private water taxis. Sometimes, they're transported a short distance from the Excelsior to the red carpet, in cars. Unlike the main island of Venice, vehicles are permitted on the Lido, including buses and private cars. However, many festivalgoers prefer to explore the area by bicycle.

Isabelle Huppert is leading the main competition jury, which includes James Gray, Andrew Haigh, Agnieszka Holland, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Abderrahmane Sissako, Giuseppe Tornatore, Julia von Heinz and Zhang Ziyi. This year, 21 films are competing for the top prize.

The logistics can be challenging. This year, several journalists who planned to travel from Venice to the Toronto International Film Festival (which begins on Sept. 5) on Sept. 4 had to adjust their plans when the premiere of “Joker 2” was scheduled for that day. Others fly to Telluride earlier, as the festival starts on Aug. 30. And then there's the New York Film Festival (Sept. 27-Oct. 14) which showcases top films from other festivals.

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For comprehensive coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, please visit https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival .