Venice Film Festival: The Evolution from Struggles to Oscar Launchpad Under Alberto Barbera
The Venice Film Festival, the world’s oldest film festival, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Once struggling to maintain its relevance in the early 2000s, the festival has now firmly established itself as a crucial launchpad for Oscar contenders. This turnaround can largely be attributed to the visionary leadership of Alberto Barbera, who took over as the artistic director in 2012. Under his guidance, the festival has not only attracted major Hollywood films but has also become a platform for smaller independent films to gain international recognition.
When Barbera assumed his role in 2012, the Venice Film Festival was facing significant challenges. The festival struggled to attract Hollywood films, with many studios opting to premiere their movies at the Toronto International Film Festival instead. Recognizing the risk of losing the presence of major American studios, Barbera made concerted efforts to court Hollywood executives. He flew to Los Angeles twice a year to meet with heads of studios and independent film companies, convincing them of the festival’s potential. Additionally, he persuaded the Venice Biennale to invest in renovating outdated screening rooms and facilities, making the festival more appealing to international filmmakers.
Barbera’s efforts began to bear fruit in his second year as artistic director when the festival opened with Alfonso Cuarón’s blockbuster film ‘Gravity’ in 2013. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, ‘Gravity’ received rave reviews and went on to win multiple Oscars, including Best Director for Cuarón. This marked a turning point for the festival, solidifying its reputation as a launchpad for Oscar hopefuls. Since then, the Venice Film Festival has consistently premiered major American Oscar contenders, including ‘La La Land,’ ‘Joker,’ ‘Spotlight,’ and ‘Moonlight.’ The festival’s newfound status as an Oscar launchpad has also been beneficial for smaller independent films, providing them with a platform to gain critical acclaim and international recognition.
Despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA strike, the Venice Film Festival has remained resilient. In 2020, the festival found a safe way to proceed with its 77th edition, implementing strict safety measures to ensure the well-being of attendees. The festival presented a robust lineup of films, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the event. Similarly, in 2021, the festival included a strong lineup of films from notable directors such as Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Lanthimos’s film ‘Poor Things’ won the prestigious Golden Lion at the festival and went on to win four Oscars, including Best Actress for Emma Stone.
The Venice Film Festival’s success under Barbera’s leadership extends beyond its role as an Oscar launchpad. The festival has also become a key player in the global film industry, attracting a wide range of filmmakers and industry professionals. Over 4,000 submissions were considered for this year’s program, showcasing the festival’s goal of discovering new talent and exploring the limits of contemporary cinema. Barbera believes that it is the festival’s aim to showcase new voices and innovative filmmaking, making it a place for both established and emerging directors to present their work.
One of the unique aspects of the Venice Film Festival is its relaxed and picturesque setting. Unlike its sister festival, Cannes, which is known for its glitz and strict dress code, Venice offers a more laid-back atmosphere. The festival allows for more personal style moments, with celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Florence Pugh having memorable fashion moments on the red carpet. Lady Gaga’s standout look at the 2018 Venice Film Festival, despite the rain, remains a memorable moment in the festival’s history. This relaxed vibe, combined with the festival’s commitment to showcasing high-quality films, has contributed to its unique charm and appeal.
In addition to its relaxed atmosphere, the Venice Film Festival has also seen its fair share of entertainment and industry drama. From Princess Diana making headlines at Cannes in 1987 with her blue Catherine Walker dress to the infamous Chris Pine spitting incident, the festival has had its share of scandals and controversies. However, these moments have only added to the festival’s allure, making it a place where entertainment and relaxation mix seamlessly. The festival’s picturesque setting in Venice further enhances its appeal, providing a beautiful backdrop for filmmakers and attendees alike.
The Venice Film Festival’s business side has also seen significant growth under Barbera’s leadership. When Barbera took over in 1999, the festival was poorly organized and unprofitable. However, thanks to investments and renovations made by the Biennale foundation, the situation has greatly improved. Barbera was chosen as artistic director for his independence and lack of political influence, and despite being forced out of his job in 2001 by the government, he made a comeback as festival director in 2012 with the support of the Biennale foundation. Since then, he has successfully improved the festival’s infrastructure and business market, making it a destination for both cultural and business events.
Despite its increasing popularity and prestige, the Venice Film Festival remains heavily subsidized and only breaks even thanks to government grants and support from the Biennale foundation. This is not uncommon for film festivals, as most rely on sponsorships, donations, and grants to sustain their operations. In 2023, ticket sales accounted for only ten percent of the festival’s budget. The Biennale foundation, which controls the festival, is funded through a mix of public and private grants. The Italian government has also been investing heavily in the Biennale foundation’s modernization projects, further supporting the festival’s growth and development.
Barbera’s vision for the Venice Film Festival extends beyond just attracting Hollywood films. He aims to explore the limits of contemporary cinema and showcase new voices in the industry. This year’s lineup includes star-studded films like ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and ‘The Room Next Door,’ but also highlights new and emerging directors. Over half of the competition films in the 2022 lineup are by directors new to the festival, reflecting Barbera’s commitment to discovering and promoting new talent. Barbera is particularly pleased with this year’s program, which was selected from over 4,000 submissions, and believes it will continue to showcase the best of contemporary cinema.
The Venice Film Festival’s success has made it a key player in the Oscars race, with many films premiering at the festival going on to win major awards. Four of the past ten Best Picture winners have premiered at Venice, including Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland,’ which won the festival’s main prize, the Golden Lion, in 2020. The festival’s ability to attract high-quality films and provide a platform for Oscar contenders has solidified its reputation as an essential stop on the awards season circuit. This success has also been beneficial for smaller titles, such as ‘Nomadland,’ which may not have sustained success if it had premiered at Sundance.
As the Venice Film Festival continues to grow and evolve under Barbera’s leadership, it remains committed to its core values of showcasing innovative and beautiful filmmaking. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and industry strikes, the festival has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. With its unique charm, relaxed atmosphere, and commitment to discovering new talent, the Venice Film Festival stands out as a prestigious international showcase for cinema. Barbera’s vision and dedication have played a crucial role in revitalizing the festival, making it a key player in the global film industry and an essential launchpad for Oscar hopefuls.