The Associazione Giornate degli Autori has announced that starting this year, as decided by the board of directors, the role of artistic director of the Giornate degli Autori (set to run from 2-12 September, during the Venice Film Festival) will be assumed by Gaia Furrer, who will be working closely with General Delegate Giorgio Gosetti, the selection committee, and Giornate’s consultants and programmers.

“It’s an honour and a challenge,” declares Gaia Furrer, “given the exceptional circumstances. At the same time, though, Giornate 2020 is also a golden opportunity to rethink the very role of film festivals and how they reach their audiences. I’m excited about taking on this new role and what it stands for, and grateful for the trust shown in the team I’ve spent the formative years of my career with.”

“It’s great news and a marvellous sign,” says Giorgio Gosetti, “when a woman who is an internationally known programmer, dedicated to her craft, takes the helm of such a prestigious showcase, an independent sidebar of the Venice Film Festival since 2004, created by the Italian filmmakers’ associations, ANAC, Associazioni nazionali degli autori cinematografici and 100autori. It’s an important milestone not only for the Giornate degli Autori team, which has more than kept pace with the times, but also for film festivals in general, as they fully embrace gender equality and welcome a new generation of cultural professionals.”

In overseeing the selection of the Giornate lineup, Gaia Furrer will be working closely with Renata Santoro (head of programming), Mazzino Montinari, Cédric Succivalli and Andrei Tănăsescu.