There are venues that simply host an event, and others that end up becoming part of its identity. On the pier of the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido, overlooking the lagoon and steeped in the history of the Venice International Film Festival, La Terrazza by Atlas Concorde now belongs to the latter category. From September 2 to 12, 2026, it returns for its fourth edition with a program spanning cinema, design, music, fashion, culture, business, and gastronomy. The concept retains the exclusive nature of an invitation-only venue but broadens its horizons. It is no longer simply a lounge designed to punctuate the days of the Festival. It becomes a destination within a destination—a space where you can linger, converse, listen to a concert, attend a talk, discover a project, or turn a casual encounter into a professional relationship.
The project was launched in 2023 based on an idea by Joydis, developed and curated in collaboration with M4G. Over the course of four years, it has established a recognizable language capable of bringing together worlds that often operate on separate tracks. Actors and directors meet entrepreneurs and decision-makers. Journalists engage with institutions and brands. Design intersects with food, while an interview sparks a conversation and an aperitif creates new business opportunities. The program takes guests from breakfast until late at night, alternating between talks, presentations, cocktail parties, concerts, cooking demonstrations, editorial meetings, and private events. The result is a temporary ecosystem that leaves behind content and relationships destined to last beyond the eleven days of the exhibition.
The numbers speak to its growth. In 2025, La Terrazza by Atlas Concorde welcomed approximately 6,000 visitors over eleven days of continuous activity, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. It hosted over 140 celebrities, including actors, directors, and entertainers, along with 80 accredited journalists. More than 50 articles, published by 36 Italian and international media outlets, amplified the story beyond the Lido. The most interesting statistic, however, concerns the guests’ behavior. Over the course of three editions, the venue has evolved from a mere stopover into a place where people want to linger. The quality of the hospitality, the variety of content, and the opportunity to connect outside the formality of official events have fostered a dynamic community comprising the film industry, media, businesses, and creatives.
“The 2025 figures clearly illustrate what La Terrazza has become over the course of three editions: a place that cinema’s leading figures choose to experience, not just pass through,” says Elisabetta Nicolini, CEO of Joydis. “This is the value we’re continuing to promote this year: a program that creates a space for dialogue between cinema, business, and culture, with content designed to give each partner an active role—not just a presence.” This statement sums up a model in which traditional sponsorship gives way to participation. Companies become part of the program, shape experiences and conversations, and engage with talent, the media, and institutions, building visibility tied to what happens within the venue.
Atlas Concorde is spearheading the project for the fourth consecutive year as the main partner, renewing a collaboration that began with the launch of the event. The Italian brand, an international leader in the ceramic surfaces sector, is participating alongside Atlas Plan, a brand specializing in large slabs for kitchen countertops, tables, and furniture. The material becomes part of the narrative, rather than merely a covering. It complements the perspectives, defines the volumes, and ties the temporary architecture to the monumental presence of the Excelsior. In a space exposed to the shifting light of the lagoon, the surfaces help create depth and alter the perception of space throughout the day.
The architectural design bears the signature of De.Tales, an international firm founded by Igor Rebosio and Giuseppe Varsavia. Their interpretation draws on the hotel’s historical identity and translates it into a contemporary vision. Rhythm, modularity, symmetry, and depth come together to form a harmonious whole. Atlas Concorde surfaces blend into the structure as complementary fragments of a single volume, while materials, light, and the landscape engage in a seamless dialogue. The design thus transcends mere scenography. It evokes the memory of the place, highlights its original relationship with water, and creates an elegant atmosphere, suitable for both a morning conversation and an evening cocktail. The architecture discreetly enhances the experience and provides a precise framework for every element.
The 2026 Venice edition also marks the public debut of La T, the new unified identity chosen by Joydis and M4G to bring together a journey that has evolved across four major worlds of entertainment. The project connects the pop music of Sanremo, the international film festivals of Venice and Cannes, and the comics and gaming of Lucca Comics & Games. These are not four independent events, but rather a format that passes the baton from one event to the next, adapting its language, audiences, and atmosphere accordingly. The philosophy remains the same: to create a recognizable space at the heart of an already established event and to foster encounters between culture, business, entertainment, media, and Made in Italy.
“With La T, we’re giving a name and a structure to a journey that has evolved naturally over the years,” explains Nicolini. “La Terrazza—which is supported by Atlas Concorde in Venice—and La T Space are two manifestations of the same vision: building relational ecosystems, not just venues.” Massimo Meoni, owner of M4G, emphasizes longevity: “We build lasting relationships—with brands and with the communities we choose to be part of. Venice remains the starting point of this story—the place from which La T continues to grow.” A strategy that combines communication, hospitality, and business development, entrusting events with the task of generating concrete opportunities.
The day at the Terrazza follows its own script. The morning begins with breakfast by Tre Marie and coffee brewed with De’Longhi. Chiara Bergonzi, Italian Latte Art champion, transforms the ritual of enjoying a cup of coffee into a moment of technical skill and creativity. In the afternoon, Sammontana gelato makes its appearance. In the evening, the pastry chefs from the Accademia Bindi present creations designed to complement gatherings and performances. Gianni Cocco, Coffee Master and Coffee Performer, brings espresso to aperitif hour with recipes and cocktails that explore its aromas and possibilities. Food isn’t merely a service—it marks the passage of time and becomes part of the program.
The event kicks off on September 2 at 6:30 p.m. with Opening Night. Maestro Filippo Lui will perform original film scores on the piano, while a series of culinary experiences will celebrate Italy’s finest products. The unveiling of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano will be paired with a tasting of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO and a presentation of Villa Food specialties. The pastry chefs from the Bindi and Tre Marie Academies will host a cooking demonstration. Lungoparma will serve a red wine that will also be featured on the final evening. Cinema, music, and fine dining thus kick off the eleven-day event with an immediate, refined, and convivial atmosphere.
The morning of September 3 puts young people in the spotlight. At 11 a.m., “Strike!” will be presented—a contest sponsored by the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Franco Demarchi Foundation, dedicated to stories of creativity and active citizenship. At 12 p.m., the Lecco Film Fest will take stock of its seventh edition and look toward the future of the relationship between the younger generations and cinema. Speakers include, among others, Monsignor Davide Milani, president of the Fondazione Ente dello Spettacolo; Marco Campanari, president of Confindustria Lecco and Sondrio; the mayor of Lecco, Filippo Boscagli; Davide Zazzini, the festival’s youth project coordinator, and Chiara Sbarigia, president of APA, along with several volunteers.
On the afternoon of September 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., lifestyle meets environmental responsibility with Mariella B. Green. The Italian luxury brand, which specializes in swimwear handcrafted in Italy, uses ECONYL, a regenerated nylon made from recycled plastic. The founder will speak with Elena Buscone, known as The Italian Trainer, in a discussion dedicated to sustainability in beachwear. On one hand, the focus is on resource-conscious fashion design. On the other, well-being, movement, and self-care take center stage. The closing cocktail reception extends the conversation into a more informal setting. Fashion returns at 9 p.m. with the first of two fashion shows curated by Alla Platash, founder of the Royal Elite agency, alongside Julia Berissett, international PR specialist and founder of The-Concierge Company. International designers will present couture, evening wear, jewelry, and accessories. The second event is scheduled for September 10 at the same time.
On September 5, the music takes on two different tones. At 8:00 p.m., Cinzia Calzolari creates a soundscape with Tibetan bells for *A Sound Tribute to Andrea Algieri, In Memory*. The tribute honors the stylist and content creator who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 44, one of the pioneers of digital storytelling in Italian cinema. At 9:30 p.m., *The Hitmakers* premieres, a documentary film produced by Troupe Légère and Unalira Edizioni. The journey takes viewers through Genoa, pop music, and Italian music with a cast of artists that includes Piero Cassano and Francesco Baccini. The two musicians will also perform several pieces on the piano, transforming the presentation into a live encounter between images, musical memories, and performance.
On September 6 at 6:00 p.m., Eleonora Avon will present Mosaique Essence in an interview focusing on the skincare brand’s journey, the new Luxury Collection, and the book *L’anima del quadro colorato*. At 8:00 p.m., the Terrace will host a private cocktail reception preceding the Filming Italy Venice Award. GranTerre will provide refreshments for the evening with its new Parmacotto Marinature line. On September 9, starting at 9:30 p.m., Movie Vibes Night changes the atmosphere with a DJ set, while on September 11, starting at 7:30 p.m., the Closing Night wraps up the event with live music, Italian food tastings, and the return of Lungoparma. September 12 marks the final day of the project, following a series of events that alternated between press-open sessions, Film Commission cocktail parties, and private meetings.
In the festival’s calendar, “La Terrazza by Atlas Concorde” transforms hospitality into content and dedicates time to people. An ongoing interview over a glass of wine, a presentation that launches a project, and a concert that brings audiences together. Venice remains the birthplace of a story destined to continue beyond the Festival.
