The Venice Film Festival under the artistic direction of Alberto Barbara has announced that French industry professional Pascal Diot will act as director of the new Venice Film Market to take place from Aug 30-Sept 3 over the first few days of the festival.

Diot has spent more than 20 years working in international sales at groups like Canal Plus, Pathe, UCG and TF1. His own Paris-based production company, IDPL Productions, was founded in 1998 and has an active slate of projects including documentaries and international co-productions.

The industry will be able to meet in new designated areas at the Excelsior hotel, including a digital video library equipped with 40 stations, a business centre equipped with secretarial services and wi-fi, and an Industry Club that will offer networking and meeting space plus catering services.

As for the ongoing festival locations revamp, the Biennale board has approved plans for an expanded foyer space in the Palazzo del Cinema to better host delegations.

The plans include the renovation of two screening rooms – the Pasinetti and the Zorzi. Meanwhile, the Sala Volpi will be moved to a temporary space on the ground floor of the Casino, maintaining its 150 seats.

The 69th edition of the Venice Film Festival is scheduled to run from Aug 29-Sept 8.

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