With earlier sunsets and a hint of chill in the air, it’s almost Moira Rose’s favorite season: awards. The sprint toward the Oscars unofficially begins with a trifecta of September festivals, the first of which opens tomorrow—though, as Rebecca Ford points out, this year’s Venice Film Festival seems a little more muted than last year’s. Why? Put frankly, it may be because a bunch of the big movies that debuted at Venice last year wound up crashing and burning on their quest for Academy Awards. Please read her juicy analysis while sipping on your drink of choice. Perhaps an Aperol Spritz?
Elsewhere, Nick Remsen profiles tennis phenom Ben Shelton, Chris Murphy previews Venice’s most noteworthy debuts, and VF looks back at fest’s most fashionable entrances of all time. (Say it with me now: Lady Gaga on a water taxi!) More tomorrow. | 
