Cannes and Tribeca may be coming first, but announcements for the 2026 Venice Film Festival have already begun. It was announced earlier this morning that Maggie Gyllenhaal has been selected to serve as jury president for the upcoming Venice Film Festival.
The Oscar-nominated actor, director, producer, and writer previously appeared at Venice in 2021 with her feature directorial debut, “The Lost Daughter,” an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel. The film, starring Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, and Peter Sarsgaard, earned the festival’s award for best screenplay. More recently, Gyllenhaal directed “The Bride!,” a feminist reinterpretation of the Frankenstein mythology. The film features Buckley alongside Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, and Jake Gyllenhaal, and was released in the U.S. in 2022. Her appointment continues a recent trend of female jury presidents at Venice, following Isabelle Huppert (2024), Julianne Moore (2022), and Cate Blanchett (2020).
“I am thrilled to accept the invitation to lead this year’s Venice film festival jury,” Gyllenhaal said in a statement. “Venice has always supported truthful, singular voices and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition. I will not be standing in judgement, but in curiosity, admiration and excitement.”
Festival director Alberto Barbera praised her selection, noting that Gyllenhaal “embodies an artistic path of uncommon consistency, constructed over time with intelligence and courage. An actress who is able to portray disturbing and multifaceted characters, she also reinvented herself as a director with ‘The Lost Daughter.’ Her perspective on cinema — both intellectual and visceral — has found further confirmation in the recent film ‘The Bride!,’ which consolidates her stature as an original filmmaker. Having her 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.”
Gyllenhaal first gained widespread recognition in 2002 with “Secretary,” directed by Steven Shainberg and co-starring James Spader, earning accolades including a National Board of Review award and nominations from both the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards. She later received a second Golden Globe nomination for “Sherrybaby” and an Academy Award nomination for her role opposite Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart.” Additional credits include “Donnie Darko,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Stranger Than Fiction,” “The Dark Knight,” “Nanny McPhee Returns,” “Frank,” and “The Kindergarten Teacher.”
The 84th Venice Film Festival will take place from September 2nd–12th, with the official lineup announced on July 23rd.
Are you excited for the 2026 Venice Film Festival? Are you planning to attend the festival this year? Which films do you think will be announced? Please let us know in the comments section below or on our X account.
