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Venice Film Festival selector

Screen Australia will host Venice Film Festival (La Biennale di Venezia) pre-selector Paolo Bertolin to view new eligible feature films in May.

One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious festivals, Venice is important in the calendars for titles’ Oscars awards strategies.

In 2021 Australian/New Zealand feature film The Power of the Dog premiered at Venice Film Festival and director Jane Campion was awarded the Silver Lion prize for best Director.

Venice Film Festival screens only world premiere films across the following sections:

  • Venezia 79 – an international competition for 21 feature films (which must have a runtime of 70 minutes or longer).
  • Out of Competition – for a maximum of 20 films. This includes a potential midnight time slot.
  • Orizzonti Competition – for newer filmmakers, for 19 feature films and a selection of short films less than 20 minutes duration.
  • Orizzonti Extra – up to 10 works of various genres and lengths of more than 60 minutes.
  • Venice Immersive – includes all XR works including VR, maximum 30 projects.
  • Venice Classics – the one exception that does not require films to be a world premiere, with a maximum of 18 titles.

There are also two independent parallel sections, which must be entered separately:

  • SIC International Critics’ Week – nine debut works selected by the Syndicate of Italian Film Critics.
  • Giornate degli Autori – 12 features or documentaries, promoted by the association of Italian film directors and authors.

The Venice Film Market also takes place during the festival and attracts international buyers and sellers.

Go to Festivals and Markets section to view the Venice profile and a history of Australian works at the festival.

Filmmakers interested in getting their feature films seen by Bertolin must check the eligibility and regulations. Contact Dale Fairbairn at Screen Australia by Monday 30 April.