Gyllenhaal, an American director, actress, screenwriter and producer, said in a statement: 'I am thrilled to accept the invitation to lead this year's Venice Film Festival jury.' She added: 'Venice has always supported truthful, singular voices, and I am honored to play a part in continuing that brave and necessary tradition. I will not be standing in judgement, but in curiosity, admiration and excitement.'
Festival director Alberto Barbera praised Gyllenhaal as 'an actress who is able to portray disturbing and multifaceted characters' who 'reinvented herself as an author with The Lost Daughter, which won the best screenplay award here in Venice in 2021.' He noted that her 'perspective on cinema – both intellectual and visceral – has found further confirmation in the recent film The Bride! (2026), which consolidates her stature as an original filmmaker.' Having her as jury president, Barbera said, 'means being able to rely on an authoritative and independent voice, animated by that authentic passion for arthouse cinema which has always represented the heart of the festival.'
An actress who is able to portray disturbing and multifaceted characters, she also reinvented herself as an author with The Lost Daughter, which won the best screenplay award here in Venice in 2021. Her perspective on cinema – both intellectual and visceral – has found further confirmation in the recent film The Bride! (2026), which consolidates her stature as an original filmmaker. Having her as the president of our jury means being able to rely on an authoritative and independent voice, animated by that authentic passion for arthouse cinema which has always represented the heart of the festival.
Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut, an adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel The Lost Daughter, won the Venice Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay in 2021 and was nominated for three Academy Awards. In 2025, she released The Bride!, a spin on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and James Whale's The Bride of Frankenstein, described as polarizing but audacious. The other jury members and the films in competition have not yet been announced.