XV Florence Biennale: Tim Burton to receive the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award - FB
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FLORENCE BIENNALE
18 - 26 OCTOBER, 2025
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XV Florence Biennale: Tim Burton to receive the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award
Ceremony and exhibition in October
30 January 2025
The international "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed on American filmmaker and artist Tim Burton, on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale - International Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Design, themed "The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design", which will be held from 18 to 26 October 2025 at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence.
The world-renowned American director and artist, widely regarded as one of the most imaginative and visionary filmmakers of our time, welcomed the news of the award in the following words: «I’m very humbled to be the newest recipient of the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award, joining the list of amazing artists. The honor also gives me a chance to create an exhibition in Florence for the Biennale, and I’m looking forward to exploring this year’s themes of dualism and unity through my art and reflecting on those opposites which don’t exist without the other – light and dark, good and evil, order and chaos».
Tim Burton will receive the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at the theatre area of the Florence Biennale, at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence.
The motivations of the Curatorial Board were anticipated by the General Director of the Florence Biennale, Jacopo Celona: «The prize is the Florence Biennale's tribute to one of the most important artists of our times, and a recognition of his outstanding artistic work, including drawing, graphic design, stop motion animation and film making. Through his works, Tim Burton revolutionized the perspective that sees darkness as a synonym of evil, bringing out new concepts of beauty through magical and poetic visions, breaking down stereotypes linked to dualisms and promoting a deep understanding of human nature and the connections between our limited and fragile terrestrial world and the immensity of the universe: a new immaterial, spiritual, transcendental perspective, capable of giving emotional awareness of infinity, which configures his works as an artistic expression of absolute extraordinariness and as a long-lasting cultural legacy for both the artistic community and the global audience».

A Unique Style
Long before becoming a director, Tim Burton expressed himself through drawing, painting, and photography, all of which have become an integral part of his creative process which he continues to pursue to this day, with a style so unique the adjective “Burtonesque” was coined. His extensive library of artworks has been documented in books including his 2009 release, “The Art of Tim Burton”, a 430-page volume comprising more than 40 years of his personal and professional artwork. Coinciding with its release, the Museum of Modern Art opened an extensive exhibition of his work in New York, which went on to tour in Melbourne, Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, and Seoul. A second exhibition of his artwork, The World of Tim Burton, has been presented in Prague, Tokyo, Osaka, Brühl, São Paulo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Genk, Mexico City, and continues to tour internationally.
As an acclaimed filmmaker and illustrator Tim Burton has written, directed, and produced numerous iconic films – encompassing cult favourites, box office smashes and inventive adaptations. Burton is credited with kickstarting the juggernaut of superhero films (“Batman”, 1989; “Batman Returns”, 1992), reinvigorating stop-motion animation (“Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”, 1993; “Corpse Bride”, 2005), putting a macabre twist on grand scale musicals (“Sweeney Todd”, 2007), and creating some of cinema’s most iconic antiheroes (“Beetlejuice”, 1988; “Edward Scissorhands”, 1990). His recent projects include the feature film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (2024) and the critically acclaimed television series "Wednesday" (2022–present). Burton’s inimitable work spans multiple genres, making him one of the most distinctive voices in modern cinema.
Florence Biennale Media Office