Venice, Italy – Esteemed English director Joanna Hogg takes the helm as jury president at the 21st Giornate degli Autori, an independent event parallel to the 81st Venice Film Festival running from August 28 to September 7. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for her poignant explorations in movies like “The Souvenir” and “The Eternal Daughter,” will lead a diverse group of ten young cinema professionals, all alumni of the 27 Times Cinema program, to select the recipient of the GdA Director’s Award during its milestone tenth year.
This year’s jury, carefully assembled from past participants of the 27 Times Cinema initiative launched by the European Parliament in 2010, represents a vibrant cross-section of contemporary film culture. These jurors, now emerging talents across various sectors of the film industry, return to Venice with a fresh perspective, having first experienced the festival as budding cinephiles.
Hogg, currently developing a new feature film set in Los Angeles, expressed enthusiasm about her role, “What could be more enjoyable and enriching than evaluating films and exchanging ideas with a jury of young film experts who possess a profound love for cinema?” She anticipates lively and insightful discussions, underlining the festival as a catalyst for celebrating and dissecting cinematic art.
Artistic director Gaia Furrer remarked on Hogg’s profound ability to explore deep personal and relational themes with exceptional nuance and authenticity. Furrer described Hogg’s work as “implosive,” noting its capacity to unearth subtle, often challenging truths about human nature—a complexity heralded by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who produced Hogg’s recent films.
General delegate Giorgio Gosetti highlighted the unique composition of this year’s jury, blending seasoned insight with fresh, dynamic perspectives. “The president’s rich narrative craft and her passion for film will greatly enhance our tenth anniversary celebrations,” Gosetti said. He emphasized the transformation of the jurors from enthusiastic festival first-timers to skilled professionals.
The GdA Director’s Award, celebrating a decade this year, comes with a €20,000 prize, equally divided between the winning director and their international distributor. The distributor is encouraged to use these funds to further promote the film. Coordination of the jury’s deliberations will be overseen by Karel Och, Artistic Director of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, ensuring a cohesive and fair selection process.
As the film industry continues to evolve, platforms like Giornate degli Autori play a crucial role in highlighting and nurturing new voices in cinema. The involvement of figures like Hogg and the integration of past 27 Times Cinema participants demonstrate the festival’s commitment to fostering a continuity of passion and professionalism in the cinematic arts. This year’s edition not only celebrates cinematic achievements but also encourages a reflective dialogue on the direction of contemporary filmmaking, making it a cornerstone event for cultural exchange and development in the international film community.