Alexander Payne sworn in as juror for Venice Film Festival 2025

Alexander Payne has been confirmed as President of the jury at the 82nd edition of Venice International Film Festival, due to roll out in August this year.

The American director and writer of hit comedies like 1999’s Election and the recent critical success, The Holdovers in 2023, will be heading to the festival for the first time since 2017.

He presented his film Downsizing starring Matt Damon at the prestigious film gala during opening night at the 74th Venice Film Festival.

The 64-year-old filmmaker boasts an impressive resume, with his many films over the years having earned nominations for up to 24 Oscars between them.

Though he has been nominated in the Best Director category three times at the Academy Awards, he has won the coveted trophy twice for his writing in the category for adapted screenplay.

The festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera confirmed Payne’s role at Venice this year via a statement which praised him for his “passion for cinema” and “knowledge of films”.

“These qualities, along with his experience as a screenwriter, make him an ideal candidate to preside over the work of the Venice jury, which is called upon to evaluate films from around the world,” Barbera’s statement further revealed.

“I am grateful to Alexander for accepting my invitation, which seals an acquaintance that goes back to the days of his graduation short film at UCLA,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the director extended his gratitude for the honour in a separate message.

“It’s an enormous honour and joy to serve on the jury at Venice. Although I share a filmmaker’s ambivalence about comparing films against one another, I revere the Venice Film Festival’s nearly 100-year history of loudly celebrating film as an art form. I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.

The 82nd annual Venice International Film Festival will take place between August 27 and September 6, this year.