Sofia Coppola Makes Documentary Debut with "Marc by Sofia"

The acclaimed filmmaker's portrait of fashion icon Marc Jacobs premieres at Venice Film Festival.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Acclaimed filmmaker Sofia Coppola has made her documentary debut with "Marc by Sofia", an intimate portrait of her close friend of 30 years, fashion designer Marc Jacobs. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, largely eschews traditional biographical framing and instead offers a vivid account of Jacobs' creative world, following the production of his 2024 spring collection.

Why it matters

Coppola is known for her visually stunning and emotionally resonant fictional films, so her foray into documentary filmmaking is a significant departure that will be of great interest to cinephiles. The film also provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the life and work of the iconic fashion designer Marc Jacobs.

The details

"Marc by Sofia" interweaves archival footage, candid interviews, and creative influences from across Jacobs' body of work, from his student days at Parsons to his legendary grunge collection for Perry Ellis, his storied eponymous brand, and his boundary-pushing work at Louis Vuitton. The film is described as part time capsule, part mood board, evoking Jacobs' inimitable style and creative process.

  • The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2026.
  • It will make a stop at the Doc Fortnight festival in two weeks.
  • The film is set to be released on March 20, 2026.

The players

Sofia Coppola

An acclaimed American filmmaker known for visually stunning and emotionally resonant films such as "Lost in Translation" and "The Virgin Suicides". "Marc by Sofia" marks her documentary film debut.

Marc Jacobs

An iconic American fashion designer who has had a storied career, including his legendary grunge collection for Perry Ellis, his eponymous brand, and his boundary-pushing work at Louis Vuitton.

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What they’re saying

“Marc by Sofia––particularly when observing Jacobs in his natural habitat (four weeks before a show) as he exhales a modest amount of vape smoke––is actually a viewing experience so pleasant that it gives the impression that you might even get along with him. An agreeable documentary with technically zero drama (and notably no other interviewees) portraying a hard-working icon of street-wise aesthetic and a radical influence on high fashion: what's the catch? Arguably there isn't one, but it's hard to say whether the balminess of the film is a result of a friendly disposition, or if Coppola's auteurist touch is way too light.”

— Savina Petkova (thefilmstage.com)

What’s next

The film is set to have its North American premiere at the Doc Fortnight festival in two weeks before its wide release on March 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Sofia Coppola's documentary debut "Marc by Sofia" offers a rare and intimate look into the creative world of iconic fashion designer Marc Jacobs, showcasing her signature visual style and emotional resonance in a new documentary format.