Valérie Donzelli and Carolina Cavalli lead Venice film festival juries
French director Valérie Donzelli will chair the Horizons jury, while Carolina Cavalli leads the Luigi De Laurentiis jury for first-time directors at the Venice Film Festival. These appointments signal
The Venice Film Festival just named the juries for two of its most watched competitions: Valérie Donzelli will chair the Horizons jury, while Carolina
Read Full Story at Variety →Why This Matters
These appointments underscore Venice’s commitment to elevating emerging talent while reinforcing its reputation as a platform for bold, unconventional voices. Donzelli’s selection—known for her emotionally raw storytelling—suggests a jury poised to prioritize films that challenge conventional narratives, while Cavalli’s inclusion reflects a push to spotlight first-time directors whose work defies genre constraints.
Background Context
Venice’s Horizons section has long served as a incubator for films that bypass traditional festival circuits, particularly those from France and Italy, where both directors are rooted. The Luigi De Laurentiis jury, named after the late producer and heir to a cinematic dynasty, has historically been a springboard for debut features, with past winners including Cristian Mungiu’s *4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days* and Joshua Oppenheimer’s *The Act of Killing*.
What Happens Next
With festival submissions swelling and audiences increasingly fragmented, these juries may signal a pivot toward films that blend arthouse sensibilities with mass appeal—a delicate balance Venice has struggled to maintain. Observers will watch closely whether the selections lean toward narrative disruption over commercial viability, and whether the festival’s younger jurors challenge the more established critics and industry veterans who typically dominate the conversation.
Bigger Picture
The dual appointments reflect a broader industry trend of elevating female directors and first-time filmmakers in prominent roles at major festivals, even as systemic barriers persist behind the scenes. It also highlights Venice’s strategic positioning as a counterbalance to Cannes’ glamour and Berlin’s politically charged programming, carving out a niche for risk-taking cinema in an era of algorithm-driven content.
