Venice Film Festival Criticized for Lack of Female Directors in Competition

Italian film bodies and critics have slammed the Venice Film Festival for its lack of female directors in the main competition, calling the selection 'one-dimensional' and 'male-dominated.' Festival chief Alberto Barbera is facing significant backlash over the lineup.

27 Jul, 15:31 — 27 Jul, 17:18

Post Share

Why this matters

The Venice Film Festival is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals, setting trends and garnering significant attention for the films it selects. A perceived lack of diversity in its competition lineup raises questions about gender representation and inclusivity within the global film industry.

Key entitiesVenice Film Festival Alberto Barbera Six Italian film bodies Women in Film Television and Media Italia La Repubblica

Source Diversity

Low (19/100)

2 sources— more sources would strengthen this score15/33

Spectrum spread— 1/5 buckets covered0/33

Far L

Left2

Left (2)

deadlinevariety

Center

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 1 region4/34

US2

ℹAll sources from US region

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story

Sources

Showing 2 of 2 sources

varietyMostly Factual15d ago

Venice Chief Alberto Barbera Under Fire for Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘It Is a One-Dimensional Selection’

Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera has sparked criticism from several Italian film organizations — including Women in Film Television and Media Italia — for this year’s sharp drop in female directors, with only one woman-helmed film in the 20-title competition. Regarding the Italian selection, they pointed out that: “Seven male directors represent Italian […]

By Nvivarelli

Read full article →

deadlineMostly Factual15d ago

Italian Film Bodies Slam Venice Over Lack Of Women In Competition: “It’s A One-Dimensional, Male-Dominated Selection”

Six Italian film bodies have hit out at the lack of women in the Venice Film Festival’s main film competition this year in an open letter. The tribune, published in Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper over the weekend, follows in the wake of the festival’s unveiling of a 2026 Official Selection in which just one film […]

By Melanie Goodfellow

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: variety · 27 Jul, 15:31|Full coverage: 2 · 2h|Window: 2h

variety27 Jul, 15:31First to report

Venice Chief Alberto Barbera Under Fire for Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘It Is a One-Dimensional Selection’

2h later

deadline27 Jul, 17:18Latest update

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

Venice Film Festival Criticized for Lack of Female Directors in Competition

Why this matters

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Sources

Venice Chief Alberto Barbera Under Fire for Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘It Is a One-Dimensional Selection’

Italian Film Bodies Slam Venice Over Lack Of Women In Competition: “It’s A One-Dimensional, Male-Dominated Selection”

Coverage Timeline

Venice Chief Alberto Barbera Under Fire for Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘It Is a One-Dimensional Selection’

Italian Film Bodies Slam Venice Over Lack Of Women In Competition: “It’s A One-Dimensional, Male-Dominated Selection”

Related Stories

Tiffany Haddish Pleads Guilty to Georgia DUI, Receives 12 Months Probation

Actress Lucy Davis Reveals Incurable Stage Four Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Rod Stewart Cancels More Concerts Following Heart Stent Procedure

Nicholas Hoult Cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter Season 2

PERSPECTA

Why this matters