Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle is set to make his official Venice International Film Festival debut with “Ink“, a high-stakes biographical drama about the birth of modern tabloid journalism. The film has been given the premier spot as the official opening film of the 83rd edition of the film festival, making its world premiere in competition on the Lido on September 2, 2026.

“Ink“

Adapted for the screen by Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham from his acclaimed, Tony-nominated 2017 stage play of the same name, “Ink” explores the pivotal 1969 acquisition of British daily newspaper The Sun by a ambitious young media mogul named Rupert Murdoch. Set against the backdrop of late-1960s London, the narrative chronicles Murdoch’s partnership with editor Larry Lamb as they set out to disrupt the established media landscape. By embracing pop culture, provocative headlines, and reader-driven sensationalism, the duo transformed The Sun from a struggling publication into the country’s most widely read tabloid, fundamentally altering the relationship between press, politics, and the general public.

The historical drama features a star-studded British ensemble led by Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch and Jack O’Connell as editor Larry Lamb. The core cast is rounded out by Claire Foy as Jules Davies. Behind the camera, the film reunites Boyle with producer Tessa Ross—his collaborator on the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire”—alongside producers Tracey Seaward and Michael Ellenberg, with a original score composed by Daniel Pemberton.

For Boyle, whose career spans iconic films such as “Trainspotting”, “28 Days Later”, and “127 Hours”, the selection marks his first time bringing a project to the Venice Film Festival. Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera praised the feature as a rare collision of top-tier theatrical playwriting, visionary direction, and exceptional contemporary British acting talent.

As the festival’s opener, “Ink” sets the stage for a competitive lineup at the 83rd edition on the Lido. It competes for the coveted Golden Lion against a formidable field of international cinema, including Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard”, Florian Zeller’s “Bunker”, Casey Affleck’s “Company”, Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine”, Ali Asgari’s “Kami nour”, Andrea Pallaoro’s “The Echo Chamber”, and Marco Bechis’s “Ritorno a Buenos Aires”.

From Radcliffe to Venice

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will culminate on September 12, 2026 in Venice, Italy. Born in Radcliffe, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, Boyle will turn 70 on October 20, 2026.

At first glance, Radcliffe and Venice exist in entirely different realms. Yet these two locations are connected through water, industrial heritage, and gothic literary imagination. Water forms the physical spine of both locations.

While Venice relies on its famous network of saltwater canals and the Grand Canal for transport, Radcliffe’s identity was forged along the River Irwell and the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Radcliffe grew into a powerhouse of textile bleaching, paper production, and cotton spinning, utilizing its local waterways in much the same way Venice historically dominated maritime trade routes across the Mediterranean.