Venice Film Festival 2021: Maria Sharapova dons chiffon gown while Charlotte Gainsbourg wows in LBD

Maria Sharapova, 34, beamed when she stepped onto the Venice Film Festival 2021 red carpet on Sunday, slipping into a stunning chiffon gown at the premiere of Lost Illusions.

Elsewhere, Charlotte Gainsbourg looked sensational in a thigh-skimming black gown when she attended the premiere of her upcoming film Sundown.

Stepping out in the chic strapless number, The star, 49, teamed her short frock with knee-high sparkly boots.

Wow: Maria Sharapova, 34, beamed when she stepped onto the Venice Film Festival 2021 red carpet on Sunday, slipping into a stunning chiffon gown at the premiere of Lost Illusions

Maria’s show-stopping gown boasted high-neck, ruffle detailing and the superstar athlete teamed the piece with a beautiful pair of drop earrings.

The tennis player wore her hair swept into a chic bun and added height to her frame in white heels.

Charlotte wore her brunette hair loose and posed for photographers alongside Tim Roth, who stars alongside her in Michel Franco’s dark comedy.

Also stepping out in Italy on day five of the festival was Jessica Chastain, who was ferried in by water taxi to the star-studded event.

Show-stopping: Maria’s show-stopping gown boasted high-neck, ruffle detailing and the superstar athlete teamed the piece with a beautiful pair of drop earrings

Standing tall: The tennis player wore her hair swept into a chic bun and added height to her frame in white heels

With her flame-hued tresses falling in loose curls past her shoulders, the actress, 44, looked typically stylish in a burgundy jumpsuit and kept the sunshine at bay behind sunglasses.

Kate Hudson, The Crown actress Olivia Williams and fashion mogul Jessica Wang were also seen on day five of the prestigious festival. 

Olivia looked radiant when she stepped onto the Kinéo Award red carpet on Sunday alongside her actor husband Rhashan Stone.

Slipping into a sweeping yellow gown for day five of the Venice Film Festival, the actress, 52, beamed for photographers while posing by her 51-year-old husband’s side.

Olivia – who will be taking over the role of Camilla Parker Bowles in the fifth season of The Crown – wore her hair swept back and accessorised with chic drop earrings, while Rashan cut a dapper figure in a smart black suit.  

The 2021 Venice Film Festival will take place from 1-11 September, and is considered one of the world’s oldest awards ceremonies and one of the ‘Big Five’ events.

The jury is headed by Parasite frontman Bong Joon Ho, who said he is ‘honoured to be woven into its beautiful cinematic tradition.

All in the details: Charlotte carried a small black bag and accessorised with a delicate necklace and bracelet 

Boots: The actress made sure all eyes were on her sparkly boots

Working her best angles: Charlotte worked her best angles while posing for photographers on the red carpet

Smoky: Charlotte rocked a smoky eye and a swipe of blush lipstick 

Scalloped: The hem of Charlotte’s dress was scalloped 

‘As president of the jury — and more importantly as a perpetual cinephile — I’m ready to admire and applaud all the great films selected by the festival. I’m filled with genuine hope and excitement.’

The jury is also comprised of director Saverio Costanzo, actress Virginie Efira, star Cynthia Erivo, actress Sarah Gadon, documentarian Alexander Nanau, and director Chloé Zhao.

This year’s festival also invited two Afgan filmmakers, Sahraa Karimi and Sahra Mani, to discuss the Taliban’s takeover of the country, with ‘particular attention to the situation of filmmakers and artists’.

Co-stars: Charlotte wore her brunette hair loose and posed for photographers alongside Tim Roth, who stars alongside her in Michel Franco’s dark comedy

Dapper: Tim, 60, looked dapper in a smart black suit

Director: Charlotte and Tim also posed with Sundown director Michel Franco

The topic of the panel will be ‘the dramatic situation of Afghan filmmakers and artists in general, the need for the creation of humanitarian corridors and the guarantee of the granting of political refugee status, as well as concern for their future and the need to provide for their accommodation once they arrive in Europe.’

Oscar-winning Italian director Roberto Benigni, who helmed the acclaimed Life is Beautiful, will also be honoured with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

In a statement he said: ‘My heart is full of joy and gratitude. It is an immense honour to receive such an important recognition of my work from the Venice International Film Festival.’

Ferry: Also stepping out in Italy on day five of the festival was Jessica Chastain, who was ferried in by water taxi to the star-studded event

Stylish: With her flame-hued tresses falling in loose curls past her shoulders, the actress, 44, looked typically stylish in a burgundy jumpsuit

Regal: Kate Hudson, 42, looked regal in a layered number as she attended the photocall for Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon

Like a princess: The How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days star beamed as she was pictured in the pretty ensemble, proudly showcasing her full skirt for the cameras

This year’s festival has also seen the grand return of its star-studded red carpet premieres, after last year’s event was drastically scaled back due to the Covid pandemic.

Last year’s occasion saw a significantly smaller number of guests in attendance, will all red carpet arrivals required to adhere to social distancing, with temperature checks and mask wearing mandatory at the event.

Despite its return, this year’s festival is still adhering to strict Covid guidelines, following a rise in cases in Italy.

Public access to the red carpet is banned, and more than 10 testing stations have been set up.

All attendees must show proof of a negative test or vaccination to enter a screen, and masks are required indoors.

Radiant: The award-winning actress looked radiant when she stepped out on Sunday

Prestigious: The 2021 Venice Film Festival will take place from 1-11 September, and is considered one of the world’s oldest awards ceremonies

Boat chic: Maria was also seen in a chic cream ensemble earlier in the day

Designer girl: Fashion mogul Jessica Wang looked a beauty in a bright orange mini dress, which she explained to her followers on her Instagram story was ‘Versace’

Fashionista: Jessica told Fashion Week Daily, ‘I had always been interested in fashion and since blogging was becoming a thing at the time, I decided to try my hand at it’

Radiant: Olivia Williams, 52, looked radiant when she stepped onto the Kinéo Award red carpet on Sunday alongside her actor husband Rhashan Stone, 51

Yellow: Slipping into a sweeping yellow gown for day five of the Venice Film Festival, the actress beamed for photographers

Hair up: Olivia wore her hair swept back and accessorised with chic drop earrings, while Rashan cut a dapper figure in a smart black suit