Venice Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal Says Lack of Female Directors Is ‘A Systemic Problem’
“It’s much harder for women to get their films financed,” the filmmaker and actress says as the festival has only two female-directed films in competition The post Venice Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal Says Lack of Female Directors Is ‘A Systemic Problem’ appeared first on TheWrap .
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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