Videoage International October 2020

6 World October 2020 V I D E O A G E On this occasion, in this exceptional year, the directors reiterated the importance of the art of cinema as a sign of solidarity with the global film industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, with many of their colleagues forced to cancel or postpone their festivals. Over the course of the eve- ning, the seven directors went on the Sala Grande stage to read a shared document that reiterated the fundamental value of cinema, and the role and importance of festivals in the support and promotion of cinema from all over the world — European cinema in particular. Festivals — they reaffirmed — are not mere promotional showcases to highlight the best of authors’ and filmmakers’ creativity, but are increasingly becoming centers of culture, places of education at the service of young directors, op- portunities for the cultural en- lightenment of audiences, and places to educate young people about the beauty and richness of the film experience. Festivals can also foster research and debate, and are places where creativity and freedom of ar- tistic expression come together to produce a fertile and in- dispensable dialogue with audiences and society. The Venice Film Festival held its awards ceremony on September 12, 2020. Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland won the Golden Lion for Best Film. Starring Frances McDormand, the film is based on the non- fiction book of the same name by Jessica Bruder, about a woman who travels the Ame- rican Midwest. For Silver Lion honors, the Grand Jury Prize went to Michel Franco’s Nuevo Orden ( New Order ) and the Award for Best Director celebrated Kiyoshi Kurosawa for Spy No Tsuma ( Wife of a Spy ). Andrei Konchalovsky’s Dorogie Tova- rischi! ( Dear Comrades! ) took home the Special Jury Prize. The Best Actress and Best Actor honors went to Vannesa Kirby for her performance in Kornél Mundruczó’s Pieces of a Woman and Pierfrancesco Favino for his performance in Claudio Noce’s Padrenostro , respectively. Led by Cate Blanchett, the Venezia 77 jury was composed of Matt Dillon, Veronika Franz, Joanna Hogg, Nicola Lagioia, Christian Petzold, and Ludivine Sagnier. S even artistic directors of the principal European film festivals got together during the opening night of the 77th annual Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2020 in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido in representation of the community of film festivals in Europe and around the world. It is believed that this is the first time in history that directors of the world’s most important film festivals met up. In addition, it is also considered remarkable that such a meeting — held with all the precautions necessary — happened during a pandemic, which showed great leadership and resolve. Pictured at right are the seven directors: Alberto Barbera of the Venice International Film Festival, Carlo Chatrian of the Berlin International Film Festival, Thierry Fremaux of the Cannes Film Festival, Lili Hinstin of the Locarno Film Festival, Vanja Kaludjercic of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Karel Och of the International Film Festival Karlovy Vary, and José Luis Rebordinos of the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Photo credit: La Biennale di Venezia, photo by Andrea Avezzú. Seven Festival Directors Live at Venice Fest (Continued on Page 8) SEPTEMBER 2020 JUNIOR PAGE_ 7.284”x 9.055” VIDEO AGE JR. PAGE GRB Studios www. g r b t v . c om l s a l e s @ g r b t v. c om Genre: Docu-Series Duration: 7 X 60’ Genre: Stand-Up Comedy Duration: 1 X 75’ Genre: Health Duration: 150 X 60’ Format also Available Genre: Crime Duration: 257 X 60’ G R B S T U D I O S M I P C O M O N L I N E +