Maggie Gyllenhaal will preside over the main jury of the upcoming Venice Film Festival.
The Oscar-nominated actor, director, producer and screenwriter was last in Venice in 2021 with her directorial debut “The Lost Daughter,” an adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel of the same name starring Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson and Peter Sarsgaard, which won the fest’s best screenplay award.
Gyllenhaal more recently directed “The Bride,” a feminist take on the “Frankenstein” myth starring Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Sarsgaard, Annette Bening and Jake Gyllenhaal that recently released in the U.S.
Gyllenhaal is the third woman to head the Lido jury in the past five years, following Isabelle Huppert (2024), Julianne Moore (2022) and Cate Blanchett (2020).
“I am thrilled to accept the invitation to lead this year’s Venice Film Festival jury,” Gyllenhaal said in a statement. “Venice has always supported truthful, singular voices and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition. I will not be standing in judgement, but in curiosity, admiration and excitement.”
Commented Venice chief Alberto Barbera: “Maggie Gyllenhaal embodies an artistic path of uncommon consistency, constructed over time with intelligence and courage. An actress who is able to portray disturbing and multifaceted characters, she also reinvented herself as a director with ‘The Lost Daughter.'”
He continued, “Her perspective on cinema — both intellectual and visceral — has found further confirmation in the recent film ‘The Bride!,’ which consolidates her stature as an original filmmaker. Having her as the president of our jury means being able to rely on an authoritative and independent voice, animated by that authentic passion for arthouse cinema which has always represented the heart of the festival.”
In her illustrious acting career, Gyllenhaal broke out in 2002 with Steven Shainberg’s “Secretary” opposite James Spader, for which she won a National Board of Review award and earned Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Award nominations. She followed that with Laurie Collyer’s “Sherrybaby,” which earned her a second Golden Globe nomination. In 2009, she starred opposite Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart,” which earned her an Oscar nomination.
Gyllenhaal’s other notable film performances include “Donnie Darko,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Stranger Than Fiction,” “The Dark Knight,” “Nanny Mcphee Returns,” “Frank” and “The Kindergarten Teacher,” among others.
The 84th edition of Venice will run Sept. 2-12, with the festival’s lineup being announced July 23.
English (US) ·