The Venice film festival has announced its juries for the Orizzonti section and the Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award for a debut film, setting the stage for another year of cinematic excellence. The festival, running from September 2-12, 2026 will be directed by Alberto Barbera and promises to showcase some of the most innovative and compelling films from around the world.
The festival’s Orizzonti section, known for highlighting emerging talents and bold new voices, will be chaired by the acclaimed French director Valérie Donzelli. Joining her are Peter Becker president of the Criterion Collection and Janus FilmsElizabeth Lo a U.S./Hong Kong director known for her documentary work; David Pablos a Mexican filmmaker with a distinctive vision; and Barbara Ronchi an Italian actress with a rich cinematic background.
Valérie Donzelli: A Visionary at the Helm
Valérie Donzelli an actress turned director, has made a significant impact on the international film scene. Her debut feature, The Queen of Hearts premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2009. Donzelli’s subsequent works, including Declaration of War and Marguerite & Julien have been showcased at prestigious festivals like Cannes. Her latest film, At Work premiered in the Venice competition last year and won the best screenplay award, solidifying her reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
The Orizzonti jury will award prizes for best film, best director, jury prize, best actor, best actress, best screenplay, and best short film. These awards recognize the innovative and daring films that push the boundaries of cinema.
Carolina Cavalli: Nurturing New Talent
Carolina Cavalli an Italian screenwriter and director, will chair the jury for the Luigi De Laurentiis Venice Award for a debut film, also known as the Lion of the Future. Cavalli’s debut film, Amanda screened in the Venice’s Orizzonti Extra section and at the Toronto International Film Festival. Her latest work, The Kidnapping of Arabella premiered in the Orizzonti section and won the best actress honor for star Benedetta Porcaroli.
Joining Cavalli on the jury are Akinola Davies Jr. a British-Nigerian filmmaker whose debut feature, My Father’s Shadow earned a special mention for the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and won the 2026 BAFTA for outstanding debut; and Ted Hope a veteran U.S. producer with over 70 films to his credit. Hope launched Amazon Studios’ feature film division, which has earned numerous Oscar nominations and wins.
The Lion of the Future prize comes with a €100,000 cash bursary, donated by Filmauro to be split evenly between the director and producer of the winning film. This award aims to support and encourage new talent in the film industry.
The Orizzonti Short Films International Competition
The 83rd Venice Film Festival will also feature the Orizzonti Short Films International Competition showcasing the world premiere screenings of 13 short films from 13 different countries. These films will compete for the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film with the official screenings taking place on September 10 and 11, 2026. The selection process saw over 2,500 short films submitted, with 205 from Italy alone, highlighting the global interest and talent in short filmmaking.
The competition features a diverse range of films, including Angelo Azzurro by Tommaso AcquaroneTest Track by Lydia Cornett and Mothmama by Jessica Di Costa. These films represent a variety of genres and styles, from animation to documentary, showcasing the creativity and innovation of emerging filmmakers.
All official awards will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice Film Festival on September 12, 2026. The festival’s full lineup will be announced on July 23, 2026 building anticipation for another year of cinematic excellence.
