Alberto Barbera to stay as Venice Film Festival artistic director for two more years

Alberto Barbera will remain artistic director of Venice Film Festival for the 2027 and 2028 editions, the festival has confirmed today.

Barbera has been appointed for two further additions “in consideration of the results he has achieved in the recognised quality of the selections, in discovering and launching new talents on the international stage, in spreading and advancing the culture of cinema and in expanding audiences”, according to a festival statement.

The director’s tenure had been due to expire after the 2026 edition, after his latest extension in 2024.

Barbera’s extension was approved by the board of directors of La Biennale di Venezia, chaired by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco.

Barbera has been artistic director of the Cinema Department of La Biennale di Venezia – which runs the film festival – since 2012. He previously held the position from 1998 to 2001.

He has received international honours including France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2000, and a special tribute from the Gotham Awards in the US in 2022, also given to La Biennale.

From 2004 to 2016 Barbera served as a consultant for Turin’s National Museum of Cinema.

The 2026 Venice Film Festival wil run from September 2-12.

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