2023_Venice_International_Film_Festival

80th Venice International Film Festival

80th Venice International Film Festival

2023 film festival event

The 80th annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 30 August to 9 September 2023, at Venice Lido in Italy.

Quick Facts Opening film, Closing film ...

Comandante, directed by Edoardo De Angelis, served as the festival's opening film on 30 August.[1] Luca Guadagnino's Challengers was originally scheduled to have its world premiere as the festival's opening film,[2][3][4] but MGM/Amazon chose to withdraw it and delay its release due to the ongoing 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[5] J. A. Bayona's Society of the Snow closed the festival on 9 September.[6]

American filmmaker Damien Chazelle served as Jury President for the main competition, while French filmmaker Alice Diop headed the jury for the Luigi de Laurentis Award for Debut Feature and Italian filmmaker Jonas Carpignano headed the jury of the Orizzonti section.[7]

Alberto Barbera, Venice's artistic director, acknowledged that the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was likely to impact the festival if it was not resolved in time, due to the strike rules that prevent all actors from taking part in any kind of promotional activities for their films. Nevertheless, the festival proceeded though fewer Hollywood celebrities than usual were in attendance, while an increase of European titles in all sections was expected. The world premieres of some upcoming award season hot titles expected to premiere at Venice, such as Ethan Coen's Drive-Away-Dolls, ended up delayed.[8] As the strike was ongoing, some American films announced the absence of the cast in the red carpet of their world premieres, including Bradley Cooper, director/writer/producer and actor of Maestro.[9]

Italian director Liliana Cavani and Chinese/Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai were both awarded with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during the festival.[10][11][12]

Juries

Main Competition (Venezia 80)

Horizons (Orizzonti)

Luigi de Laurentis Award for Debut Film

Venice Classics

Venice Immersive

  • Singing Chen, Taiwanese filmmaker and music composer - Jury President[14]
  • German Heller, Argentinian animator and producer
  • Pedro Harres, Brazilian director, animator, screenwriter and multimedia artist

Official Selection

In Competition (Venezia 80)

The following films were selected for the main international competition:[15][16]

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Highlighted title indicates Golden Lion winner.

Out of Competition

The following films were selected to be screened out of competition:[15]

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Special Screening

The following films were selected to have a Special Screening:[17]

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Horizons (Orizzonti)

The following films were selected to the Orizzonti main competition:[15]

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Highlighted title indicates Orizzonti award winner.

Horizons Extra (Orizzonti Extra)

The following films were selected to the Orizzonti Extra section:[15]

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Highlighted title indicates Orizzonti Extra award winner.

Venice Classics

Venice Classics is the section that since 2012 has presented world premiere screenings at the Venice Film Festival of a selection of the best restorations of film classics carried out over the past year by film archives, cultural institutions and production companies around the world. The section usually also presents a selection of documentaries about cinema. Director and screenwriter Andrea Pallaoro will chair a Jury of Film Students which will award the Venice Classics prizes for the respective competitions for Best Restored Film and for the Best Documentary About Cinema. The Jury chaired will be composed of 24 students, each of them recommended by professors of film studies from various Italian universities.[13] The following films were selected to the Venice Classics section:[18]

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Venice Immersive

The Venice Immersive is entirely devoted to immersive media and includes all XR means of creative expression, from 360° videos to XR works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. The following projects were selected for the XR - Extended Reality section of La Biennale di Venezia:[14]

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Highlighted title indicates Venice Immersive Grand Prize award winner.

Final Cut in Venice

Final Cut in Venice is the festival program that has been providing since 2013 support in the completion of films from African and Middle East countries. The following seven work-in-progress films have been selected for the 11th edition of Final Cut in Venice:[19]

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Independent sections

Venice International Critics’ Week (38. Settimana Internazionale della Critica)

The titles in competition will compete for the €5,000 Grand Prize and the €3,000 Audience Award. The selection committee is led by delegate general Beatrice Fiorentino with members including Enrico Azzano, Chiara Borroni, Ilaria Feole, and Federico Pedroni. The following films were selected to the International Critics’ Week sections:[20][21]

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Giornate degli Autori

The line-up spans 10 films in competition, seven special events, eight titles in "Venice Nights" as well as a special day-long event devoted Vallée and the cinema of Québec. The following films were selected to the Giornate degli Autori sections:[22]

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Official Awards

The following official awards were presented at the 80th Edition:[23]

Main Competition (Venezia 80)

Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement

Horizons (Orizzonti)

Horizons Extra (Orizzonti Extra)

Lion of the Future

Venice Classics

  • Best Documentary on Cinema: Thank You Very Much by Alex Bravermen
  • Best Restored Film: Moving by Shinji Sômai

Venice Immersive

  • Grand Prize: Songs for a Passerby by Celine Daemen
  • Special Jury Prize: Flow by Adriaan Lokman
  • Achievement Prize: Emperor by Marion Burguer, Ilan Cohen

Final Cut in Venice

  • Carissa by Jason Jacobs, Devon Delmar[24]
  • “Coup de cœur de la Cinémathèque Afrique” award: Carissa by Jason Jacobs, Devon Delmar
  • El Gouna Film Festival award: Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart by Hind Meddeb
  • Eye on Films award: She Was Not Alone by Hussein Al-Asadi
  • Festival International du Film d’Amiens award: She Was Not Alone by Hussein Al-Asadi
  • Festival International de Films de Fribourg award: Carissa by Jason Jacobs, Devon Delmar
  • MAD Solutions award: Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart by Hind Meddeb
  • Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF – ACP – EU) post-production award: Life is A Railroad by Kevin Mavakala, Manassé Kashala, Isaac Sahani, Tousmy Kilo
  • Oticons award: She Was Not Alone by Hussein Al-Asadi
  • Music Supervision Oticons award: Life is A Railroad by Kevin Mavakala, Manassé Kashala, Isaac Sahani, Tousmy Kilo
  • Rai Cinema award: Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart by Hind Meddeb
  • Red Sea Fund of the Red Sea International Film Festival award: Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart by Hind Meddeb
  • Sub-Ti Ltd award: She Was Not Alone by Hussein Al-Asadi
  • Sub-Ti Access Srl award: She Was Not Alone by Hussein Al-Asadi
  • TitraFilm award: Sudan, When Poems Fall Apart by Hind Meddeb

Independent Sections Awards

The following collateral awards were conferred to films of the autonomous sections:[25][26]

Venice International Critics' Week

Giornate degli Autori

Independent Awards

Queer Lion

ARCA CinemaGiovani Award

Authors Under 40 Award

Brain Award

Casa Wabi - Mantarraya Award

  • To the winner of the Lion of the Future Award

CICT - UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Award

Cinema & Arts Award

Premio CinemaSarà

Civitas Award

Edipo Re Award

Premio Fondazione Fai Persona Lavoro Ambiente

Fanheart3 Award

FEDIC Award

  • Io capitano by Matteo Garrone
    • Special Mention for Best Film: Anna by Marco Amenta
    • Special Mention for Best Short Film: We Should All Be Futurists by Angela Norelli
    • Jury Special Prize: Passione Critica by Simone Isola, Franco Montini, Patrizia Pistagnesi

FIPRESCI Awards

Francesco Pasinetti Award

Green Drop Award

ImpACT Award

Lanterna Magica Award

Leoncino d'Oro Award

Lizzani Award

  • Nowhere by Simone Massi

NUOVOIMAIE Talent Awards

  • Best New Young Actor: Gianmarco Franchini for Adagio
  • Best New Young Actress: Sara Ciocca for Nina of the Wolves

La Pellicola d'Oro Award

  • Best Production Director: Claudia Cravotta for Io capitano
  • Best Camera Operator: Massimiliano Kuveiller for Finally Dawn
  • Best Set Designer: Simona Balducci for Comandante

SIGNIS Award

"Sorriso Diverso Venezia Award" XI Edition

Premio Soundtrack Stars Award

UNIMED Award

Controversy

During the Festival, casting director of Io capitano, Henri-Didier Njikam, was denied an entry visa by the Italian Embassy in Rabat, Morocco, because there were no guarantees that he would leave Italian territory once he entered. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Roma, Njikam said the fact was perceived as "an act of racism" as "the embassy justified the refusal by claiming that there were no guarantees that I would leave Italian territory once I entered, in Venice. They basically treated me as a migrant, as if I wanted to take advantage of the situation to escape. But I have a job, a professional card from the Moroccan Film Center. And, frankly, if I wanted to work in Europe, I would have already done so," and that the entity "did not look at my resume or my documents, only the color of my skin. [...] This problem exists only with the Italian embassy in Morocco, because my colleagues from Ghana and the Ivory Coast were able to leave. If I had been white, I don't think I would have been treated this way."[27]

References

  1. [1]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Edoardo De Angelis' Comandante is the new opening film of the Biennale Cinema 2023". La Biennale di Venezia. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Luca Guadagnino and Zendaya to open 80th Venice Film Festival". euronews. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  3. [3]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Luca Guadagnino's Challengers is the Opening Film of the 80th Venice Film Festival". La Biennale di Venezia. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  4. [4]
    "Luca Guadagnino's Challengers is the Opening Film of the 80th Venice Film Festival". La Biennale. 6 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  5. [5]
    D'Alessandro, Anthony (21 July 2023). "Zendaya R-Rated Pic 'Challengers' From Luca Guadagnino Heads To Spring 2024 Due To Actors Strike". Deadline. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  6. [6]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | La sociedad de la nieve by J.A. Bayona is the closing film of the 80th Venice Film Festival". La Biennale di Venezia. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. [7]
    Rosser, Michael (13 July 2023). "Venice film festival unveils full juries for 2023 edition". Screen International. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  8. [8]
    "Venice Film Festival preparing Plan B if Hollywood strikes continue". euronews. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  9. [9]
    Mendelson, Scott (31 July 2023). "Exclusive: Bradley Cooper Skips Venice Premiere of 'Maestro' in Solidarity With SAG-AFTRA Strike". TheWrap. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. [10]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Director Liliana Cavani and actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement". La Biennale di Venezia. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  11. [11]
    "Venice Film Festival Awards Winners Announced – Live". deadline.
  12. [12]
    "LIVE: The awards of the 80th Venice Film Festival". cineeupora.
  13. [13]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | The Venice Classics restored films at the 80th Venice Film Festival". La Biennale di Venezia. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  14. [14]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Official 2023 Venice Immersive selection announced". La Biennale di Venezia. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  15. [15]
    Vivarelli, Nick (25 July 2023). "Venice Lineup Includes Films by Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, David Fincher and More". Variety. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  16. [16]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Venezia 80 Competition". La Biennale di Venezia. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  17. [17]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Special Screening". La Biennale di Venezia. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  18. [18]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Venice Classics". La Biennale di Venezia. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  19. [19]
    "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Final Cut in Venice: 7 work-in-progress films have been selected". La Biennale di Venezia. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  20. [20]
    "The 2023 line-up". Settimana Internazionale della Critica. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  21. [21]
    Goodfellow, Melanie (24 July 2023). "Venice Critics' Week Unveils 2023 Line-Up; Contenders include Moin Hussain's 'Sky Peals' & Lee Hong-Chi's 'Love Is A Gun'". Deadline. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  22. [22]
    Goodfellow, Melanie (27 July 2023). "Venice's Giornate Degli Autori Unveils 20th Edition Line-Up; Featuring Surprise Short From Céline Sciamma & Jean-Marc Vallée Tribute". Deadline. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  23. [23]
    Tartaglione, Nancy; Ntim, Zac (9 September 2023). "Venice Winners: Golden Lion Goes To Yorgos Lanthimos For 'Poor Things'; Hamaguchi, Sarsgaard, Spaeny Also Score — Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  24. [24]
    "Final Cut in Venice announces the winners of its 11th edition". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  25. [25]
    "Luna Carmoon's 'Hoard' takes three prizes including audience award at Venice Critics' Week". 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  26. [26]
    "COLLATERAL AWARDS OF THE 80TH VENICE FILM FESTIVAL". La Biennale di Venezia. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  27. [27]
    Ravarino, Ilaria (6 September 2023). "Il direttore casting di Io, Capitano: "Visto negato, umiliato dall'Italia"". The Hollywood Reporter Roma (in Italian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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