Tim Burton at Florence Biennale with a Special Exhibition

Filmmaker and artist Tim Burton will return to Florence this October to receive the prestigious “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Lifetime Achievement Award at the Florence Biennale – International Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Design. The event will take place at the Fortezza da Basso from October 18 to 26, 2025, with this year’s theme focusing on “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness: Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design.”

Burton, known for his visionary films blending dark fantasy, irony, and a celebration of uniqueness, has enthusiastically welcomed the honor and will present a special exhibition inspired by the Biennale’s theme. “I am very honored to receive the ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Burton. “This recognition also gives me the opportunity to create an exhibition in Florence for the Biennale, and I look forward to exploring this year’s theme of dualism and unity through my art, reflecting on those opposites that cannot exist without each other: light and darkness, good and evil, order and chaos.”

The Biennale’s Curatorial Committee, led by General Director Jacopo Celona, praised Burton’s impact across drawing, graphic arts, stop-motion animation, and filmmaking. “Through his work, Tim Burton has redefined the way we perceive darkness, unveiling new concepts of beauty through magical and poetic visions,” Celona stated. “By breaking down stereotypes of dualism, he fosters a deeper understanding of human nature and the connections between our fragile world and the vastness of the universe. His work offers a unique spiritual and transcendent perspective, making his artistic legacy an extraordinary cultural contribution to both the art world and the global public.”

This marks a special homecoming for Burton, who previously spent time in Florence when he was in a relationship with Helena Bonham Carter. Thanks to the actress’s family home in the city, Florence became a personal retreat for the director. Now, he returns in a public role, adding another chapter to his artistic journey—this time, not through film, but through visual art.