Venice Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal Decries ‘Systemic’ Lack of Female Directors in Competition
"The Lost Daughter" director admits the lack of female directors in this year’s competition is also something she’s asked about, but festival director Alberto Barbera claimed “there is no prejudice."
Jury chair Maggie Gyllenhaal tackled the lack of female directors at the opening of the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, delivering a blunt assessment. The 2026 festival had only two competition films helmed by women, drawing criticism. Gyllenhaal humorously stated, “I guess it’s just finally become clear that men make better movies than women do,” before clarifying that a systemic issue is at play.
She cited difficulties in financing films for women and questioned whether stories reflecting women's unique experiences are often dismissed as 'low art.' Despite highlighting the inclusion of female jurors like Kaouther Ben Hania and Shahrbanoo Sadat, Gyllenhaal acknowledged the "legitimate" question of why women's films are underrepresented.
The Venice Film Festival has become a flashpoint for political and cultural debates, prompting Gyllenhaal to reflect on cinema's role. When asked if movies should be political, she emphasized empathy, believing films can foster understanding even when delving into the darkest aspects of humanity. Gyllenhaal, who made her directorial debut with the Oscar-nominated "The Lost Daughter" and followed up with "The Bride!" this year, sees movies as inherently political, opening up discussions on diverse experiences, including those of flawed individuals.
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