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Venice selector in Australia

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

2018 Special Jury Prize winner The Nightingale

The festival is one of three international A-list film festivals alongside Cannes and Berlin and will take place from 28 August to 7 September 2019.

It screens only world premiere films across the following sections:

  • Venezia 76 – an international competition for 20 feature films (which must have a runtime of 70 minutes or longer).
  • Out of Competition – for a maximum of 18 films. This includes a potential midnight time slot.
  • Orizzonti competition – for newer filmmakers, for 18 feature films and a selection of 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.
  • Sconfini – a non-competitive section for 10 works of various genres, lengths and targets of up to 60 minutes duration. It may include TV series and experimental films which may be accompanied with public conversations about art and culture.

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 – seven 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.

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 Friday 28 May.

What to read next

The Nightingale wins two awards at Venice Film Festival

Australian feature film The Nightingale, directed by Jennifer Kent, won two awards at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday 8 September.

12 Sep 2018
Screen Australia