Oscar-nominated American director Deborah Granik (Winter's Bone) will preside over the jury of the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the Venice Film Festival, dedicated to the most advanced works.
Joining Granic on the Horizons jury are Iranian writer, director and producer Ali Askari (“Earthly Verses”); Syrian film director and screenwriter Soudade Kaadan (“The Day I Lost My Shadow”); Greek director, screenwriter and producer Christos Nikou (“Apples”); Swedish actress and director Tuva Novotny (“Britt-Marie Was Here”); Hungarian director Gabor Reis (“An Explanation for Everything”); and Italian screenwriter and director Valia Santella (“I Can See It in Your Eyes”).
In addition, Italian critic Gianni Canova will chair the jury for the Luigi De Laurentiis Prize for the best first work in all Venice sections, worth $100,000.
Joining Canova on the Venice jury for Best Debut are Canadian actor-director Taylor Russell (“Bones and All”); American writer-director Ricky D’Ambrose (“Cathedral”); multi-talented Brazilian actress Barbara Paz (“Babenco – Tell Me When I Die”); and film festival coordinator and project market director Jacob Wong, who has long been associated with the Hong Kong Film Festival.
As previously announced, Isabelle Huppert will preside over the Venice Film Festival's main jury.
The 81st Venice Film Festival is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 7. The full lineup will be announced on July 23.
