The 38th annual Venice International Film Festival was held on 2 to 12 September, 1981.

[1][2] Italian writer and journalist Italo Calvino was the Jury President of the main competition.

The Golden Lion winner was Marianne and Juliane directed by Margarethe von Trotta.

The following people comprised the 1981 jury:[3] The following awards were presented at the 38th edition:[4]