Venice Film Festival Criticized for Gender Imbalance in Lineup

WHO:

Deadline - Six Italian film bodies criticized the Venice Film Festival.

Variety - Alberto Barbera is the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival.

WHAT:

Deadline - The Venice Film Festival's main film competition features only one film directed by a woman.

Variety - The competition includes a total of 20 films, with seven male directors representing Italian cinema.

WHERE:

Deadline - The criticism was published in Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

WHY:

Deadline - The Italian film bodies described the selection as “a one-dimensional, male-dominated selection.”

Variety - The sharp drop in female directors was highlighted as a significant issue by several Italian film organizations, including Women in Film Television and Media Italia.

HOW:

Deadline - The criticism was delivered through an open letter.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 18:27 UTC)

Six Italian film organizations have voiced their concerns about the Venice Film Festival, criticizing its main film competition for featuring only one film directed by a woman among a total of twenty films, with seven male directors representing Italian cinema. This criticism, described as a “one-dimensional, male-dominated selection,” was published in Italy's La Repubblica newspaper and highlighted the significant drop in female directors. The open letter was signed by several prominent groups, including Women in Film Television and Media Italia, underscoring the need for greater representation in the festival.