Venice Film Festival Superfans: The All-Night Campout Culture

The All-Night Tradition

It's 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and 19-year-old Delsina Desanctes is standing outside the Palazzo de Cinema — the iconic venue where the Venice Film Festival takes place — surrounded by umbrellas, suitcases, sleeping bags and even a tent. I'm hoping to see Sydney Sweeney, Kendall Jenner and Jonathan Bailey, she says.

This is not just a moment of curiosity; it's an annual ritual for many festival goers. Every film festival has its die-hards who gather hours in advance to catch a glimpse at their favorite celebrities and share the bragging rights on Instagram and TikTok. But at Venice, it's an all-night affair.

"I smoke. I love talking to people, so the time passes," Desanctes says. "I didn't eat or drink all day today, so tomorrow I'm going to reset. It's crazy, but it's the only time of year I'm going to do that."

The phenomenon of camping out for celebrity sightings is not new to Venice, but it has evolved into something more elaborate and sustained. The scene at Palazzo de Cinema becomes a temporary encampment — a mix of fan culture, endurance test, and social bonding.

Passion Over Practicality

Michele, a 29-year-old Italian who has attended the festival for the past decade, took off work so he could get to the Palazzo by 6 p.m. on Tuesday. It's a lot of effort, sure, but he learned the hard way that showing up any later meant he'd get a lame placement on the carpet.

"Last year, I arrived at 9 p.m. the day before, and it was too late. I was on the last part of the red carpet," he says. "If I got here tomorrow, I'd be in the third or fourth row."

That's a problem, he says, because the crowd tends to erupt into a frenzy when A-listers finally descend on the red carpet. "Everyone, at least the first time they're here, makes some mistakes. You push people a little. I've done it as well. It's like a battle royale," says Michele. "I'm not proud of it, but this year I'm trying to change and redeem myself."

Artistic Director's Perspective

Venice's artistic director Alberto Barbera, who happened to be walking by the Palazzo de Cinema on Tuesday night as people were already staking out the grounds, admitted he doesn't know what to make of the unusual scene.

"I can't believe they're so crazy to stay for two days," Barbera says. "Of course, it's weird. But at the same time, they show there's a real passion. The fact that they put themselves in such a situation, not caring about the fatigue, not caring if they eat, it's impressive."

Barbera's admission underscores the tension between the festival's artistic goals and the passionate fan culture that has emerged around it. While the official event is centered on cinema and artistry, the surrounding spectacle is one of devoted fandom.

Legal Challenges and Cultural Boundaries

Local police officers, meanwhile, say they can't comprehend the appeal of sleeping on the ground in the name of capturing a few photos and videos. And it's apparently illegal in Venice for tourists who sit, lay down or camp in public areas, with fines ranging from €200 to €350, according to two officials who declined to be named.

"We are not fining them. If it were a normal day, we would take them away from there and give them a warning that they must stay out of the city center for two days," says one police officer. "As a Venetian, I don't understand it."

This legal tension highlights the cultural clash between the festival's traditional European setting and modern fan behavior driven by social media. The enforcement of these laws is inconsistent, but the symbolic conflict is clear: Venice as a city is trying to balance its historic role with contemporary entertainment culture.

Family Bonds and Community

The all-nighter has become an annual event for Bianca Baccolini, 20, and her mom, Samantha Sandri, of Bologna. They returned to the sidewalk, having captured cherished videos in years prior of Brad Pitt, Clooney and Lady Gaga. This time around, they were joined by six friends — another parent and kids ranging from 14 to 21 years old — whom they met at the 2025 festival.

"It's a beautiful experience," says Baccolini, who hopes to snag pictures of Clooney (again), Orlando Bloom and Robert Pattinson. Her mom describes the adventure as "magic."

The community aspect of this behavior is often overlooked in discussions of celebrity obsession. These campouts are not just about individual fandom; they are family traditions, social gatherings, and generational bonds.

Why Do They Do It?

This ritualistic camping out is a complex mix of nostalgia, identity, and belonging. For many fans, the act of waiting all night is symbolic — a dedication to the art they admire, a way of marking time with their favorite celebrities, and an extension of their cultural engagement.

It's also about community building in an age where physical presence can be more meaningful than digital connection. The shared experience of enduring discomfort and excitement creates a unique emotional bond among participants.

The Evolution of Fan Culture

While fan culture has always existed, the Venice Film Festival's all-night campout is a modern phenomenon driven by social media and celebrity culture. These fans are not just watching movies; they're creating content, sharing experiences, and participating in a global conversation about entertainment.

The behavior at Venice is part of a larger trend that includes red carpet crowds at other festivals, such as the Golden Globes or the Oscars, where fans gather outside venues to make their presence known. But Venice takes it a step further — they're staying overnight and making it into an experience.

Looking Ahead

As the Venice Film Festival continues to evolve, so does its fan culture. The question remains: how do festivals balance tradition with modern behavior? And what role do these dedicated fans play in shaping the cultural conversation around cinema?

The all-night campouts are not just about seeing stars — they're a testament to the enduring power of film and celebrity culture, even when that culture takes an unconventional form.