Alexander Payne has been appointed to lead the main jury at the forthcoming Venice Film festival.
The two-time Academy Award winner previously showcased his film “Downsizing” in Venice, a satirical sci-fi comedy featuring Matt Damon that opened the festival’s competition in 2017. The film explores themes of human existence through a unique lens of miniaturization.
Throughout his career, payne has directed eight feature films—each a comedy—that have collectively garnered 24 Oscar nominations, including four for Best Picture and three for Best Director. He has won twice for Best Adapted Screenplay. His most recent work, “The holdovers,” earned an oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2024. Other notable films by him include “Citizen Ruth” (1996),“Election” (1999),“About schmidt” (2002),“The Descendants” (2011),and “Nebraska” (2013).
Currently, he is preparing to shoot a new film set in rural Denmark, even though details about this project remain confidential.
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Aged 64,Alexander Payne hails from Omaha,Nebraska. He pursued studies in history and Spanish literature at Stanford University before obtaining a master’s degree in film directing from UCLA.
Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of Venice Film festival, commended Payne’s inclusion among “the select group of filmmaker-cinephiles whose enthusiasm for cinema is driven by an understanding of classic films as well as curiosity about contemporary works without any limitations.”
“These attributes—along wiht his extensive experience as a screenwriter—make him an ideal choice to oversee the venice jury’s evaluation of international films,” Barbera remarked.
“I am thankful to Alexander for accepting my invitation; our relationship dates back to his graduation short film at UCLA,” he added.
“Serving on the jury at Venice is both an honor and a delight,” stated Payne. “While I share some ambivalence typical among filmmakers regarding comparing one movie against another, I deeply respect the nearly century-long tradition of celebrating cinema as an art form that the Venice Film Festival embodies. My excitement knows no bounds.”
The 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival will take place from August 27 to September 6.