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The 83rd Venice Film Festival has officially announced the composition of its international juries for the Horizons section and the Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award for a Debut Film. The festival, directed by Alberto Barbera, will run from September 2 to September 12, with the final awards ceremony taking place at the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema.
Horizons Jury Leadership and Composition
French filmmaker Valérie Donzelli will preside over the Horizons jury, which recognizes international films that represent the latest aesthetic and expressive trends in world cinema. Donzelli, known for directing Declaration of War and Just the Two of Us, brings a background in both acting and directing to the jury.
Joining Donzelli on the Horizons panel are:
- Peter Becker: President of The Criterion Collection and Janus Films, an organization central to the distribution of classic and contemporary art-house cinema.
- Elizabeth Lo: A filmmaker whose documentary work, including the feature Stray, has gained significant international recognition.
- David Pablos: A Mexican director and screenwriter whose previous work has been featured prominently in the Venice selection.
- Barbara Ronchi: An Italian actress who has appeared in multiple Venice-selected titles, including films featured in the Horizons section.
According to La Biennale di Venezia, this jury is tasked with awarding seven prizes, including Best Film, Best Director, the Special Horizons Jury Prize, and individual honors for acting and screenwriting. The rules explicitly prohibit the awarding of joint prizes.
The Luigi De Laurentiis Debut Film Jury
The jury for the "Lion of the Future" Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award for a Debut Film will be chaired by Italian director and screenwriter Carolina Cavalli. This award is one of the most significant honors for emerging talent at the festival, as it evaluates debut feature-length films from across the festival’s entire official selection and independent sidebars.
The jury members serving alongside Cavalli are:
- Akinola Davies Jr.: A British-Nigerian filmmaker noted for his work in both short and feature formats.
- Ted Hope: A veteran producer with over 70 films to his credit and a former head of Amazon Studios’ feature film division.
The winner of this award receives a $100,000 cash prize, provided by Filmauro, which is split equally between the director and the producer of the film.
Festival Context and Timeline
The 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival serves as a major platform for global cinema, bridging the gap between established auteurs and emerging voices. While the jury selections focus on distinct sections of the festival, the overarching goal remains the promotion of international art-house cinema.
The festival continues to operate under the leadership of Alberto Barbera, who has overseen the expansion of the Lido’s programming to include a diverse array of global perspectives. All competition winners will be announced during the closing ceremony on September 12.
Key Takeaways
- Event Dates: The 83rd Venice International Film Festival is scheduled for September 2–September 12.
- Horizons Jury: Chaired by Valérie Donzelli, this panel evaluates the most innovative trends in world cinema, handing out seven distinct awards.
- Debut Award: The Luigi De Laurentiis Award, chaired by Carolina Cavalli, carries a $100,000 prize for the best debut feature film.
- Venue: Official awards ceremonies and screenings are held at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido.
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