Venice Film Fest Ditches Jury Press Conference

The Venice Film Festival will forgo its traditional main jury press conference this year, a decision confirmed after inquiries. This departure from protocol occurs amidst a backdrop of politically charged press conferences at other major film events. However, festival organizers attribute the cancellation to a "scheduling conflict," denying any connection to current global political issues. Maggie Gyllenhaal will preside over the international jury, which comprises a diverse group of esteemed filmmakers and artists, including Kaouther Ben Hania, Daniel Blumberg, Francesco Casetti, Xavier Giannoli, Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Johnnie To.

Past festivals have seen jury members grapple with political questions, notably concerning the Israel-Gaza war. For instance, last year's jury head, Alexander Payne, admitted to being unprepared for such inquiries. The Berlin Film Festival also experienced a highly charged edition where political discussions dominated press events, leading to public statements defending jury members. Similarly, the Cannes Film Festival faced press conferences overshadowed by discussions on censorship and political matters. The Venice Film Festival is scheduled to run from September 2 to September 12, 2026.