Acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Payne has been named jury president for the 82nd Venice Film Festival, set to run from August 27 to September 6. The two-time Oscar winner will lead the prestigious competition’s main jury at this year’s edition of the world’s oldest film festival.
Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera praised Payne as “a filmmaker-cinephile whose passion for cinema is fueled by deep knowledge of film history and boundless curiosity about contemporary works.” The selection marks a return to Venice for Payne, who previously opened the festival in 2017 with his sci-fi comedy “Downsizing” starring Matt Damon.
The 64-year-old director, known for his sharp social satires and humanistic storytelling, has earned widespread acclaim for films including “The Holdovers,” “Sideways,” “The Descendants” and “Nebraska.” His eight feature films have collectively received 24 Academy Award nominations, with Payne winning twice for Best Adapted Screenplay.
“I’m deeply honored to serve on the Venice jury,” Payne said in a statement. “While filmmakers naturally hesitate to compare works, I revere Venice’s century-long tradition of celebrating cinema as art. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Currently preparing an undisclosed project set in rural Denmark, Payne brings to Venice his unique perspective as both a celebrated director and UCLA-trained cinephile. Festival organizers highlighted his dual expertise as writer and filmmaker makes him particularly suited to evaluate this year’s international competition lineup.
The appointment continues Venice’s tradition of selecting jury presidents with strong authorial voices, following last year’s president, French actress Isabelle Huppert. This year’s festival will mark Payne’s first time leading a major international competition jury.
