Last year Chloé Zhao received Venice Film Festival’s top honor, the Golden Lion. This year the “Nomadland” writer-director will return as a member of the upcoming edition’s main jury. Comprised of four women and three men, the jury also includes Cynthia Erivo, Sarah Gadon, and Virginie Efira. Variety confirmed the news.
Zhao became the second woman to ever win an Oscar for Best Director, and the first woman of color to do so, back in April. “Nomadland,” her portrait of a modern day nomad traveling across the American West, also took home honors for Best Picture and Best Actress for star Frances McDormand. Zhao previously helmed “The Rider” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me.” Up next for the trailblazer is Marvel’s “Eternals”
Erivo received an Oscar nod in 2020 for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her depiction of Harriet Tubman in Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet.” She also landed a Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures nomination for the biopic’s original song, “Stand Up.” She’s up for an Emmy this year for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha.” Her upcoming slate includes a remake of “The Rose” that explores the cost of fame.
“True Detective,” “Alias Grace,” and “Belle” are among Gadon’s credits. She stars alongside Alison Pill in “All My Puny Sorrows,” an adaptation of Miriam Toews’ novel about sisters who are raised in a Mennonite community. The drama is premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Efira’s credits include “Sibyl” and “Elle.” Her latest film, “Benedetta,” a drama about 17th-century lesbian nuns, just premiered at Cannes.
Venice also announced that “Quo Vadis, Aida?” filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić will “preside over the jury of the Orizzonti (Horizons) section, which is dedicated to more cutting edge works.” That jury also includes “The World to Come” helmer Mona Fastvold and Italian novelist Nadia Terranova.
Amalia Ulman, who made her feature debut with Sundance title “El Planeta,” is among those who will serve on the jury for the “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film.
Now in its 78th edition, Venice runs from September 1-11. Its lineup will be announced July 26.
