The 83rd Venice International Film Festival has hosted the world premiere of Musk, a sprawling four-hour documentary directed by Academy Award-winner Alex Gibney. The film, which debuted out of competition on 8 September 2026, provides a forensic examination of the life and career of the Tesla and SpaceX chief executive.
Gibney, known for his investigative documentaries, produced the 225-minute study through Jigsaw Productions. Despite the film’s exhaustive scope, Elon Musk declined to participate in the production. To address this, the filmmaker utilised a computer-generated avatar to deliver Musk’s previous public statements and social media posts, creating a virtual representation of the billionaire to narrate his own history.
The production features a new interview with Errol Musk, the billionaire’s estranged father, alongside a range of other archival material. Some festival screenings have included a 10-minute intermission to accommodate the film’s significant runtime, which reaches 235 minutes in its longest format.
UK Distribution and Release
Universal Pictures is handling the international distribution for the documentary. While a United States theatrical release has been confirmed for 16 October 2026, UK cinema-goers can expect to see the film on the festival circuit first. Musk is scheduled for inclusion in the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) later this autumn. Details regarding the Venice screening schedule and the film’s official entry can be found via La Biennale di Venezia.
Tickets for the London Film Festival typically become available through the BFI website in mid-September. Following the festival run, the film is expected to receive a wider theatrical release across the UK under Universal’s distribution agreement.
For residents in Bognor Regis, local access to major new documentary releases is currently restricted. The Picturedrome cinema on Canada Grove remains closed following fire safety concerns raised in late August 2026. Until the safety works are completed and the venue reopens, film enthusiasts in the town may need to travel to neighbouring Chichester or Worthing to view Gibney’s latest work when it enters general circulation.
