Kaouther Ben Hania and Daniel Blumberg have been named to the jury for the 83rd Venice Film Festival, joining Maggie Gyllenhaal, announced as jury president in April. The panel will evaluate competition films and decide winners including the Golden Lion, Silve
The 83rd Venice Film Festival is gearing up for a jury that mixes auteur energy with artistic awards pedigree—starting with Kaouther Ben Hania and Daniel Blumberg, now officially on the panel.
Ben Hania. the Tunisian director of “The Voice of Hind Rajab. ” won the Silver Lion — Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Venice festival and was also nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars. Blumberg brings his own history of acclaimed filmmaking music: the English composer and artist won an Oscar for his score for “The Brutalist.”.
They will serve alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was announced as jury president in April. In that announcement. Gyllenhaal said. “Venice has always supported truthful. singular voices and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition.” She added. “I will not be standing in judgement. but in curiosity. admiration and excitement.”.
The full jury also includes French writer-director Xavier Giannoli. whose film “L’Interview” won the Palme d’Or in Cannes in 1998; Hong Kong director-producer Johnnie To. who has debuted four films in Venice and served on the jury in 2008; Afghan writer-director Shahrbanoo Sadat; and Italian professor Francesco Casetti.
As the festival’s competition lineup arrives. this jury’s job is clear: they will evaluate all films in competition and determine the winners of the Golden Lion for Best Film; the Silver Lion — Grand Jury Prize; the Silver Lion for Best Director; Volpi Cups for Best Actress and Actor; the Special Jury Prize Award for Best Screenplay; and the “Marcello Mastroianni” Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress.
The selection wasn’t random—it came through La Biennale’s Board of Directors on the recommendation of Alberto Barbera. the festival’s artistic director. In April. Barbera said. “Having [Maggie Gyllenhaal] as the president of our jury means being able to rely on an authoritative and independent voice. animated by that authentic passion for arthouse cinema which has always represented the heart of the Festival.”.
The 83rd Venice festival will take place September 2-12.
Kaouther Ben Hania Daniel Blumberg Maggie Gyllenhaal 83rd Venice Film Festival jury Venice Film Festival 2026 The Voice of Hind Rajab The Brutalist Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize Golden Lion Volpi Cups