Venice Film Festival Names Orizzonti and Debut Film Jury Members

The Venice Film Festival has finalized the jury members for its Orizzonti and debut film competitions, signaling the upcoming event's focus on diverse international cinematic voices. French director, actress, and screenwriter Valérie Donzelli will preside over the Orizzonti jury. She will be joined by American film distributor Peter Becker, Hong Kong-American director Elizabeth Lo, Mexican director and screenwriter David Pablos, and Italian actress Barbara Ronchi.

The jury for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film, which honors a first-time director, will be chaired by American producer Ted Hope. His fellow jury members include Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., Italian director and screenwriter Gianluca Maria Tavarelli, and French actress and director Anouk Grinberg. This selection highlights a commitment to recognizing emerging talent and established professionals alike within the global film industry.

These jury appointments are a crucial step in the festival's preparation, as they will be responsible for evaluating and awarding prizes to films in their respective categories. The Orizzonti section is dedicated to showcasing contemporary trends and new forms of expression in cinema, while the debut film award specifically champions new directors. The festival is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 7, 2024. The full lineup of films for both competitions is expected to be announced soon, with anticipation building for the diverse range of stories and directorial visions that will be presented.