Fact check: Is Kevin Spacey really heading to the Venice Film Festival for directorial comeback bid?

Kevin Spacey is set to follow up his Cannes appearance by heading to the upcoming Venice Film Festival to promote his first directorial effort in 20 years, Holiguards Saga -The Portal Of Force. 

According to the film’s producer, Elledgy Media, the sci-fi thriller’s trailer will be screened on 29 August during a “gala dinner” attended by cast and crew involved in the film.

The Venice Film Festival confirmed to Deadline that there is no Kevin Spacey event within their official program and that this comeback campaign is not a part of the festival itself.

It is worth noting that this was also the case at Cannes, where the two-time Oscar winner was feted at an event separate to the official line-up.  

Holiguards stars Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, Brianna Hildebrand, Disha Patani, Eric Roberts, Lado Okhotnikov and Spacey himself. It charts “a conflict between two ancient supernatural factions - the Holiguards and the Statiguards. The main character, possessing the heritage of both sides, can stop the impending catastrophe. At the same time, the Statiguards are preparing a nuclear attack on Paris, using mind control technology and cosmic energy”. 

There are currently no official details regarding the film’s release.  

Spacey has been trying to stage a comeback for several years now - something which has pitted European institutions against Hollywood, which has largely blacklisted the actor / director following numerous sexual misconduct allegations and trials since 2017.  

Last year, Spacey was honoured with Italy’s Nations Award for Lifetime Achievement at a special gala in Taormina, and in June, Spacey attended the Italian Global Series Festival in Rimini. There, he said that he forgives “those who rushed to judgment” before the results of his legal cases. He added that he won’t work with those people in future.

He was acquitted of the sexual assault of four men in the UK two years ago, and was found not liable in a US civil case brought by actor Anthony Rapp.  

Spacey has admitted that he may have behaved inappropriately during his career, but has consistently denied that he behaved illegally. 

The Venice Film Festival runs from 27 August to 6 September 2025.