Venice Film Festival Director on VR, Genre Cinema, and Streaming's Impact

Alberto Barbera, the Venice Film Festival's director, highlights the 75th edition's emphasis on virtual reality (VR), auteur filmmaking, and streaming services. The VR competition is accessible to all accredited participants throughout the festival. Barbera points out enhancements in VR quality and rebrands 'Cinema nel giardino' as 'Sconfini' to signify its blend of avant-garde and mainstream films. He tackles the issue of elitism in festivals, advocating for a broader range of selections beyond the auteur ideals of the 1960s. Notably, Barbera mentions that genre conventions are being embraced by auteur filmmakers, revitalizing the medium. Additionally, he notes a significant rise in UK streaming platform users over pay-TV subscribers. The festival received 1,800 feature films and 1,600 short films, with a notable number from emerging directors. David Cronenberg and Vanessa Redgrave will be honored with lifetime achievement awards.