Featured Juries Announced for 81st Venice International Film Festival

The 81st Venice International Film Festival is gearing up for an exciting event this year with the announcement of the international juries. The festival, scheduled to run from August 28 to September 7, has selected esteemed members for both the Orizzonti and the ‘Luigi De Lauentiis’ Venice Award juries.

The Orizzonti jury will be chaired by American director and screenwriter Debra Granik, and will also include Iranian writer and director Ali Asgari, Syrian film director Soudade Kaadan, Greek director Christos Nikou, Swedish actress Tuva Novotny, Hungarian filmmaker Gábor Reisz, and Italian director Valia Santell. The Orizzonti jury will be awarding prizes for Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Short Film.

On the other hand, the ‘Luigi De Laurentiis’ Venice Award jury, also known as the ‘Lion of the Future’ for a Debut Film, will be led by Italian film critic Gianni Canova. The jury includes American writer and director Ricky D’Ambrose, Brazilian director Barbara Paz, Canadian actress Taylor Russell, and film festival curator Jacob Wong. The Venice Award for a Debut Film will be awarded to one debut feature-length film selected from the various competitive sections of the festival, with a cash prize of $100,000 donated by Filmauro.

All the official awards will be announced during the closing ceremony on the final day of the festival at the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema at the Venice Lido. With such esteemed members on the juries and a wide range of awards to be presented, the 81st Venice International Film Festival promises to be an exciting and prestigious event in the world of cinema.