Venice Giornate degli Autori Unveils Diverse and Female-Centric Lineup for 2026 Edition

The parallel section Giornate degli Autori (GdA) at the prestigious Venice Film Festival has announced its highly anticipated lineup for the 2026 edition, presenting a vibrant and diverse slate that prominently features female filmmakers and narratives. From a science fiction romance opening the festival to a queer feminist musical comedy closing it, the selection underscores GdA’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent and distinct cinematic voices from across the globe.

A Global Panorama of Storytelling

This year’s GdA program, culled from an impressive 1,036 submissions originating from 114 countries, will host 25 world premieres. Of these, 13 are Italian productions, reflecting a strong national presence, and a significant 14 are directed by women, highlighting the section’s dedication to fostering gender parity in cinema. The competition for the GdA Director’s Award will feature 10 films, with an additional out-of-competition closing film, five special events, and a nine-title showcase within the "Venetian Nights" strand.

Opening the Cosmos: My Notes on Mars

The 2026 edition will be inaugurated by Hungarian director Lili Horvát’s first English-language feature, My Notes on Mars. This ambitious science fiction romance stars Mackenzie Davis as a scientist who mysteriously disappears during a hiking expedition, only to resurface on the day of her own memorial service with no recollection of the intervening period. Rupert Friend co-stars in this intriguing exploration of memory, identity, and the unknown.

Horvát is no stranger to critical acclaim, having previously garnered significant attention for her film Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time. That film, a haunting narrative about a talented surgeon who abandons her career for a man who subsequently denies ever meeting her, debuted in GdA’s 2020 edition. It went on to achieve considerable success, including winning the coveted Golden Hugo at Chicago’s New Directors Competition, signaling Horvát’s adeptness at crafting psychologically complex and compelling dramas.

Closing with a Renaissance Flair: A Man’s Skin

Concluding the festival’s parallel section will be Léa Domenach’s A Man’s Skin. Described as a queer and feminist musical comedy, the film is set against the backdrop of the Italian Renaissance and boasts an impressive cast including Pomme, Karin Viard, and Catherine Deneuve. This unique blend of historical setting and contemporary themes promises a visually rich and thematically bold closing experience.

The Competitive Arena: Diverse Voices and Challenging Themes

The GdA Director’s Award competition presents a compelling array of films that tackle diverse genres and explore profound human experiences. Among the contenders is My Notes on Mars by Lili Horvát, setting a high bar from the outset.

Joining the competition is Kuba Dorabialski’s Agata the Writer. This film, helmed by the Polish-born, Australia-based filmmaker, features Mia Wasikowska as an Australian writer who travels to Sarajevo to research a novel about the Bosnian War. The narrative promises to delve into the complexities of artistic vision and the ethical considerations of portraying conflict, as the protagonist confronts the limitations of her own perspective.

Another significant entry is Salón de Belleza, the directorial debut of Nathalia Acevedo, known for her role in Post Tenebras Lux. Adapted from Mario Bellatin’s radical novel, the film unfolds within a beauty salon situated in a city ravaged by an unexplained disease. This setting transforms into a sanctuary for the afflicted, creating a liminal space where characters grapple with the precarious boundary between life and death. The film features performances by Belgian multi-disciplinary artist Sam Louwyck and Erwan Kepoa Falé.

Established director Robert Guédiguian contributes A Woman Today to the competition. The film stars newcomer Marilou Aussilloux as a young woman navigating the chasm between her aspirations for freedom and the persistent realities of violence and inequality in contemporary society. Guédiguian’s long-standing collaborators Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, and Gérard Meylan also feature in the cast, lending their seasoned talents to this exploration of personal and societal struggles.

Other noteworthy competitive selections include Sadness Sometimes, Other Times Revolt by María Aparicio, Balcanica (debut feature) by Nicola Sorcinelli, Camouflage (debut feature) by Mykyta Gibalenko, Dear Ajayi by Damilola Orimogunje, I Plant My Hand in the Garden (debut feature) by Boris Hadžija & Hoda Taheri, and The Indies (debut feature) by Pauline Julier and Nicolas Chapoulier.

Awards and Recognition: Celebrating Cinematic Excellence

The GdA Director’s Award, accompanied by a €20,000 cash prize to be shared between the director and their international distributor, will be decided by a distinguished jury. This year’s jury comprises Spanish filmmaker Carla Simón, Italian director and editor Sara Fgaier, and Hania Mroué, the director of Beirut’s renowned Metropolis arthouse cinema. Their collective expertise promises a rigorous and insightful selection process.

Beyond the main jury award, two other accolades will be presented. The Audience Award will be determined by GdA attendees at the Sala Perla, reflecting the direct connection between filmmakers and their viewers. Additionally, the Europa Cinemas jury will select the winner of the Europa Cinemas Label from among the European films featured in the GdA program, further promoting European cinema.

Special Events: Documenting, Experimenting, and Honoring

The Special Events section offers a curated selection of documentaries, autobiographical works, historical films, and experimental pieces. A significant highlight is Francesca Archibugi’s Carla Lonzi, A Feminist Story. This documentary delves into the life and legacy of Carla Lonzi, a pivotal and radical feminist voice of 20th-century Italy, offering a timely examination of her enduring influence.

Other films within the Special Events strand include Al Baraneya by Ashgan El-Hamus, The Phantom by Ignacio Masllorens and David Lamelas, The Massacre by Cosimo Messeri, and Even If Hell Came by Samuele Rossi.

Miu Miu Women’s Tales: A Celebration of Female Vision

In a testament to its commitment to celebrating female talent, GdA is also hosting the 15th edition of the Miu Miu Women’s Tales program. This year, acclaimed filmmakers Claire Denis and Mona Fastvold are honored as guests of honor. Through on-stage conversations, they will share invaluable insights and career lessons, offering inspiration to emerging filmmakers and enthusiasts alike. This collaboration underscores GdA’s role in nurturing and amplifying women’s voices within the film industry.

A Tribute to a Visionary: Honoring Giorgio Gosetti

The 23rd edition of Giornate degli Autori is dedicated to the memory of its founder and longtime champion, the esteemed film critic and festival executive Giorgio Gosetti, who passed away unexpectedly in March. His profound impact on the section and the broader cinematic landscape is deeply felt.

Artistic Director Gaia Furrer eloquently expressed the sentiment of loss and gratitude, stating, "This edition carries with it a deep void and a deep gratitude. We owe to Giorgio the very idea for this free arena we inhabit, along with his faith in the new directions of cinema and his stubborn, loving determination to build and consolidate, year after year, a community of men and women filmmakers and audiences. This year, Giornate springs from the desire to honor this legacy by continuing to do what Giorgio taught us: seek out, discover, go wrong, become passionate about, and believe in cinema and in those who make it happen." Gosetti’s vision for GdA as an inclusive and forward-thinking platform for cinematic discovery remains a guiding principle.

The Venice Context: Dates and Location

The Giornate degli Autori will run concurrently with the Venice Film Festival, from September 2 to 12. The section’s primary venues will be Casa degli Autori and Sala Laguna on the Venice Lido, providing a dedicated space for filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences to engage with the presented works.

Background and Broader Implications

The Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world, serves as a crucial platform for launching films onto the international stage, influencing critical reception and awards season buzz. Parallel sections like Giornate degli Autori play a vital role in this ecosystem, offering a more independent and curated selection that often champions avant-garde, auteur-driven, and socially conscious cinema.

GdA’s deliberate emphasis on female directors for its 2026 edition is a significant development in the ongoing global conversation about gender representation in filmmaking. While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in directing roles across the industry. By dedicating a substantial portion of its program to female-driven narratives and by female directors, GdA not only highlights individual talent but also contributes to a broader cultural shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity behind the camera.

The sheer volume of submissions from a wide array of countries underscores the global appeal of GdA as a discerning curator of contemporary cinema. This international scope allows for a rich cross-pollination of cultural perspectives and storytelling traditions, enriching the cinematic dialogue and offering audiences a window into diverse lived experiences.

The inclusion of debut features from emerging filmmakers alongside established directors like Robert Guédiguian demonstrates GdA’s dual commitment to fostering new talent and providing a platform for seasoned artists to explore new creative avenues. This balance is essential for the continued vitality and evolution of the film industry.

The dedication of the 2026 edition to Giorgio Gosetti is a poignant reminder of the personal connections and intellectual legacies that shape cultural institutions. Gosetti’s vision for GdA as a "free arena" emphasizes the section’s commitment to artistic freedom and its role as a space for experimentation and passionate engagement with cinema. His influence, as described by Artistic Director Furrer, continues to permeate the selection and the spirit of the event.

The awards structure, encompassing both jury recognition and audience appreciation, ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the films. The Europa Cinemas Label further solidifies GdA’s role in supporting and promoting European cinema on a wider scale.

In conclusion, the 2026 Venice Giornate degli Autori promises to be a compelling showcase of cinematic innovation, with a strong emphasis on female voices and a diverse range of global stories. The section’s commitment to honoring its past while boldly looking towards the future, as exemplified by its tribute to Giorgio Gosetti and its celebration of emerging talent, positions it as a vital and influential component of the international film festival circuit.

OFFICIAL SELECTION 2026

IN COMPETITION

• SADNESS SOMETIMES, OTHER TIMES REVOLT by Marí­a Aparicio (Argentina, Spain, 2026)
• AGATA THE WRITER by Kuba Dorabialski (Australia, 2026)
• BALCANICA – debut feature by Nicola Sorcinelli (Italy, Serbia, Croatia, 2026)
• CAMOUFLAGE – debut feature by Mykyta Gibalenko (Germany, 2026)
• DEAR AJAYI by Damilola Orimogunje (Nigeria, Germany, 2026, 120′)
• I PLANT MY HAND IN THE GARDEN – debut feature by Boris Hadžija & Hoda Taheri (Germany, Serbia, U.S.)
• The Indies – debut feature by Pauline Julier, Nicolas Chapoulier (Switzerland, Spain, 2026)
• MY NOTES ON MARS – opening film by Lili Horvát (Hungary, Austria)
• SALÓN DE BELLEZA – debut feature by Nathalia Acevedo (Mexico, France, 2026)
• A WOMAN TODAY by Robert Guédiguian (France, Italy, 2026)

OUT OF COMPETITION

• MAN’S SKIN – closing film by Léa Domenach (France, 2026)

SPECIAL EVENTS

• AL BARANEYA by Ashgan El-Hamus (Netherlands, Egypt, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, 2026)
• CARLA LONZI, A FEMINIST STORY by Francesca Archibugi (Italy, 2026)
• THE PHANTOM by Ignacio Masllorens, David Lamelas (Argentina, 2026)
• THE MASSACRE by Cosimo Messeri (Italy, 2026)
• EVEN IF HELL CAME by Samuele Rossi (Italy, 2026)