Venice, Italy – The 81st edition of the Venice International Film Festival, set to captivate audiences from August 28 to September 7, has announced its panel of jurors for major competition sections. This year’s lineup, featuring a blend of established and emerging talents from the global film community, underscores the festival’s role as a pivotal platform for cinematic innovation.
As the festival draws near, anticipation builds around the Orizzonti section, known for spotlighting cutting-edge films. This year’s Orizzonti jury boasts a diverse range of industry professionals including American director Debra Granik, who will serve as chair. She is joined by Iranian filmmaker Ali Asgari, Syrian director Soudade Kaadan, Greek filmmaker Christos Nikou, Swedish actress and director Tuva Novotny, Hungarian filmmaker Gábor Reisz, and Italian director Valia Santella. These jurors are tasked with presenting several awards at the festival, including recognition for best film, director, actor, actress, screenplay, and short film, firmly without sharing any of the honors among recipients.
In another segment, the “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film, also known colloquially as the ‘Lion of the Future’, casts another spotlight on new talent. The jury for this prestigious award includes Italian film critic Gianni Canova as chair, alongside American filmmaker Ricky D’Ambrose, Brazilian talent Bárbara Paz, Canadian actress Taylor Russell, and film festival curator Jacob Wong. The award highlights outstanding debut films across all competitive sections of the festival, including the independent and parallel sidebars.
The Lion of the Future carries a cash prize of $100,000, generously provided by Filmauro, which will be equally divided between the winning film’s director and producer. This substantial award not only provides financial support but also significant recognition for emerging filmmakers, propelling their careers in the competitive industry.
These jury selections reflect the festival’s international essence and its commitment to fostering diversity within the film industry, offering a window into the varied perspectives that shape global cinema today.
Each of the festival’s awards, including those decided by the Orizzonti and Debut Film juries, contribute to the broader artistic conversations that the Venice International Film Festival sparks each year. By championing both new voices and seasoned professionals, Venice serves as an important barometer for artistic trends and innovations in film.
The winners will be unveiled during the glamorous closing ceremony, set to take place on the stage of the Sala Grande at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido. As the festival promises to offer a rich tapestry of narrative innovation and cinematic excellence, all eyes will indeed be on Venice come early September, where the future of global cinema will once again be celebrated.