Venice Chief Alberto Barbera Under Fire for Lack of Female Directors in Competition: ‘It Is a One-Dimensional Selection’

"We cannot simply conclude that women directors 'are not good enough',” says an impassioned appeal signed by Italian film orgs

By Nick Vivarelli

Nick Vivarelli

International Correspondent

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Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera has sparked criticism from several Italian film organizations — including Women in Film Television and Media Italia — for this year’s sharp drop in female directors, with only one woman-helmed film in the 20-title competition.

Regarding the Italian selection, they pointed out that: “Seven male directors represent Italian cinema in competition and out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, on the festival’s main stage. It is a one-dimensional selection: entirely male.”

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