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,” says Desanctes, who traveled to Lido from Rome. (None of them are at the fest for movies; they’re attending as brand ambassadors for Armani.)
It’s a full 24 hours before anyone famous will walk the red carpet, but that hasn’t stopped Venice superfans from camping out a day early. 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. Along with the umbrellas to block the sun, people are equipped with mosquito repellant, water bottles, portable phone chargers and tripods. If you squint, it almost looks like camp grounds at Burning Man or Coachella (without the dust).
Desanctes isn’t fazed by the brutal heat or hours of waiting around. This is her seventh year in the thick of the action, and she’s gotten good at passing the time. In fact, she’s not even all that interested in the stars. She’s saving a spot for her celebrity-obsessed best friend, who is back at their hotel taking a disco nap before the fun begins.
