Preparations are underway for the annual Venice Film Festival, set to take place at the Lido di Venezia from August 27 to September 6, 2025.
Now in its 82nd edition, this year’s festival aims to “raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms as art, entertainment, as an industry in a spirit of freedom and dialogue.”
In line with this aim, the festival has unveiled its international jury, composed of acclaimed actors and directors from around the globe.
Greek-American director Alexander Payne, this year’s Competition President—leads the jury. Payne is a two-time Academy Award winner, with additional wins at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. Joining him is Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, who recently made history at the Golden Globes as the first Brazilian to win Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama with “I’m Still Here.”
Iranian independent filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, a regular presence at international festivals, also joins the panel. His recent political drama, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” earned five awards at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, recipient of the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his 2007 film “4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days,” is another jury member. He has also won Best Director twice at the same festival.
French director Stéphane Brizé brings over three decades of filmmaking experience. In 2023, his romantic drama “Out of Season” was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Representing Italy is director Maura Delpero, who won the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Venice Film Festival for her drama “Vermiglio.”
Rounding out the jury is Chinese actress Zhao Tao, who made history in 2011 as the first Asian actress to win a prize at the David di Donatello Awards for her performance in “Shun Li and the Poet.”
The seven-member jury will be responsible for selecting the recipient of the Venice Film Festival’s highest honor—the Golden Lion. In addition, they will choose winners for the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize), Silver Lion for Best Director, Coppa Volpi for Best Actor and Actress, Best Screenplay, Special Jury Prize, and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best emerging actor or actress.
Award-winning Italian actress Emanuela Fanelli will serve as the host for the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies. Two Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented—one to German director and screenwriter Werner Herzog, and the other to American actress Kim Novak—in recognition of their outstanding contributions to international cinema.
The festival will open with “La grazia,” a new film by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, which is rumored to be a strong contender for the Golden Lion.
The official lineup will be announced on Tuesday July 22, 2025.