The 45th annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 29 August to 9 September 1988.

[1][2] Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone was the Jury President of the main competition.

The Golden Lion winner was The Legend of the Holy Drinker directed by Ermanno Olmi.

The following people comprised the 1988 jury:[3] The following feature films were selected to be screened as In Competition for this section:[4]