The international and Orizzonti jury also features Arab filmmakers, including Syrian director Soudade Kaadan and Iranian writer, director, and producer Ali Asgari.
The Venice Film Festival has announced its selection of films from or about the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for its 81st edition, scheduled from August 28 to September 7, 2024.
While the MENA region’s films are not included in the main competition lineup, they are featured in two notable categories. The “Horizons” section, which focuses on new trends in international cinema, will showcase Aicha, directed by Tunisian filmmaker Mehdi Barsaoui. Additionally, Egyptian director Khaled Mansour’s Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo will debut in the Orizzonti Extra section, which highlights emerging talent in the industry.
Also premiering in Horizons Extra is Shahed (The Witness), the latest film by Iranian director Nader Saeivar, featuring Maryam Bobani, Nader Naderpour and Hana Kamkar.
In the out-of-competition category, the Lebanese documentary Wa Ada Maroun Ila Beirut (Maroun Returns to Beirut) by director Feyrouz Serhal will be screened in the Venice Classics – Documentaries about Film category. Additionally, the documentary Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958 – 1989 by Swedish filmmaker Goran Hugo Olsson will also be showcased.
