Sustained Vision: Barbera to Lead Venice Festival Through 2028

Leadership Continuity at the Forefront

The esteemed director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, has received a new mandate, extending his tenure for an additional two years. This renewal ensures his leadership will continue until 2028, following the completion of the 83rd edition of the festival.

The Board's Unanimous Endorsement

The decision to prolong Barbera's contract was unanimously approved by the Venice Festival's board of directors, presided over by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. This endorsement reflects the board's confidence in Barbera's ongoing contributions to the festival's success and global standing.

A Legacy of Artistic Direction and Global Acclaim

Having served as the artistic director since 2012, and previously from 1998 to 2001, Barbera is widely recognized for significantly enhancing the festival's international reputation. Under his guidance, Venice has solidified its position as a pivotal event in the lead-up to the annual awards season.

Fostering Oscar-Winning Cinema

Barbera's directorship has been marked by a remarkable streak of films premiering at Venice that later achieved significant success at the Academy Awards. Notable examples include "Gravity" (2013), "Spotlight" (2015), "La La Land" (2016), "The Favourite" (2018), and "Joker" (2019), showcasing his discerning selection process.

Recent Festival Highlights

The most recent edition of the festival was star-studded, featuring prominent productions such as Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" starring Jacob Elordi, Benny Safdie's "The Smashing Machine" with Dwayne Johnson, Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt" featuring Julia Roberts, and the Emma Stone vehicle "Bugonia." Both "Bugonia" and "Frankenstein" are considered strong contenders for the Best Picture category at the upcoming Oscars, while Kaouther Ben Hania's "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a Venice Silver Lion recipient, is nominated for Best International Feature. "The Smashing Machine" also garnered an Oscar nomination in the makeup and hairstyling category.

Acknowledging Achievements and Future Aspirations

In their statement announcing the contract extension, the Venice Festival board lauded Barbera's achievements, specifically highlighting his success in curating high-quality selections, discovering and promoting new international talent, enriching cinematic culture, and broadening audience engagement. His continued leadership promises further innovation and excellence for the festival.