Meeting the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the Venice Film Festival

For years, I dreamed of attending the Venice Film Festival, and 2024 finally made that a reality. Even though it was just for one day, I was lucky enough to experience the opening ceremony and meet a few of my favorite actors and directors.

Traveling all the way from Belgium to Italy was absolutely worth it. Although I didn’t have any passes or accreditation, I was fortunate to secure a spot in the queue for the press conference. I watched in awe as cast members like Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux, and Tim Burton arrived, each looking absolutely stunning. Some paused to greet fans, taking pictures and signing posters. Their warmth and generosity were evident, and a particularly memorable moment for me was meeting Tim Burton, who took extra time to connect with the crowd.

Not only did the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice attend, but I was also lucky enough to see other incredible actors like Sigourney Weaver and Cate Blanchett at the festival that day. As a true film lover, it was an unforgettable experience.

Seeing the stars on the red carpet, looking absolutely stunning, was another highlight. The whole day felt surreal, being surrounded by so many of the industry's greatest talents—it’s hard to put into words how amazing that was.

Ofcourse, I couldn’t attend the festival without catching a movie. To end this incredible day, I got to watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on the big screen with a room full of excited fans waiting for this long-awaited sequel. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Watching such an iconic film in a theater packed with people who were just as thrilled as I was really felt like the perfect way to end the day.

After just one day at the festival, I'm already looking forward to going back next year, hopefully for the full week. And maybe one day I will get to attend this film festival as an actual part of the industry.

Watch the Tiktok video I made about my experience at the Venice Film Festival here.