Venice Chief Alberto Barbera on Hollywood’s Festival Retreat, Gender Parity Backslide and the AI Question

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival has officially unveiled its lineup, and the results reveal a stark shift in the landscape of global cinema. While the schedule is packed with auteur projects and international talent, the presence of major Hollywood studios is minimal this year. Festival director Alberto Barbera attributes this lack of blockbuster presence to production schedules and changing marketing strategies, rather than an intentional boycott by the major players. For now, the Lido is shifting its focus to prioritize independent cinema and emerging voices.

Alongside the lack of studio fare, the festival faces scrutiny regarding gender representation in its competition slate. Of the 20 films selected for the main competition, only one is directed by a woman. This comes years after the festival leadership signed the 50/50 by 2020 pledge to improve parity. Barbera describes the current situation as a negative trend, citing a decline in the number of features directed by women that meet the festival's quality standards. He notes that the selection process focuses on film quality above all else, though the lack of progress remains a point of frustration for festival organizers.

The conversation also touched upon the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Venice will feature a documentary created using AI technology, signaling a willingness to examine how these tools function under the control of human creators. Barbera frames AI as an inevitable influence on production, though he emphasizes that its use must serve the specific aims of the filmmaker. As the festival prepares for the upcoming schedule, the focus remains on navigating these complex industry shifts while maintaining the mission of showcasing world cinema.