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Venice selector coming to Australia in June

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

2017 Special Jury Prize winner Sweet Country

Considered one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, this year it will run from 29 August to 8 September.

It screens only world premiere films across the following sections:

  • Venezia 74 – an international competition for 20 feature films (which must have a runtime of 70 minutes or longer).
  • Out of Competition – for 12 feature films. This includes a potential midnight time slot.
  • Orizzonti competition – for newer filmmakers. Will include 20 feature films and up to 20 short films less than 20 minutes duration.
  • Venice Virtual Reality – a brand new international competition for up to 18 VR films of any length (can be world or international premieres).
  • Venice Classics is the one exception that does not require films to be a world premiere.

Bertolin is interested in seeing new theatrical drama features of 70 minutes or longer that will not screen publicly before the festival. Short films and VR films must be entered following the instructions on the festival’s website.

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

  • International Critics’ Week – eight debut works selected by the Syndicate of Italian Film Critics
  • Venice Days – 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.

Filmmakers interested in getting their feature films seen by Bertolin must check the eligibility and regulations. Contact Dale Fairbairn at Screen Australia by Friday 1 June.