Gyllenhaal: Women directors face 'systemic' barriers

Maggie Gyllenhaal, the American actor and director, has publicly highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women in securing financing for their films, describing the issue as "systemic." Speaking at the opening of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Gyllenhaal noted that only two of the 21 films in the main competition were directed or co-directed by women. This number marks a continuation of a broader trend within the global film industry, where female representation remains disproportionately low. The Venice Film Festival, held annually in Venice, Italy, is one of the most prestigious events in the cinematic calendar. This year’s edition saw the inclusion of Woman Unknown, directed by Danish-Egyptian filmmaker May El-Toukhy, as the sole entry by a woman director in the initial lineup of 20 films. Later, the addition of NAZA, co-directed by Israeli Oscar-winner Rachel Szor, increased the count to two. Gyllenhaal, serving as president of the festival jury, expressed concern over the lack of diversity in the competition, emphasizing that the underrepresentation of women directors is not merely a statistical anomaly but a structural issue. Gyllenhaal pointed to the difficulty women encounter in securing funding for their projects, suggesting that the narratives they wish to explore, often shaped by distinct experiences, are sometimes undervalued or not considered “high art.” She questioned the criteria used to determine artistic merit, asking, “Who decides what’s good? Who decides what’s valuable?” Her remarks underscored a growing awareness within the industry of how gender biases can influence both creative and financial opportunities. The festival’s director, Alberto Barbera, responded to these concerns by stating that the selection process was conducted “without prejudice” and that 24% of submissions this year originated from women, a slight decrease from the 30% recorded in the previous year. His comments, however, drew criticism from advocacy groups and industry professionals in Italy, who argued that the quality of work submitted by female directors has not improved sufficiently to justify the lower numbers in the main competition. Despite the challenges, Gyllenhaal acknowledged the importance of her role as jury president, noting that her own career as a director began with The Lost Daughter, which premiered at Venice in 2021. She reflected on her journey, admitting that she had long felt drawn to filmmaking but lacked visible role models to guide her. “I was probably always a director,” she said, “but I didn’t see anyone around me that was a woman doing it.” In addition to addressing gender disparities, Gyllenhaal discussed the relationship between cinema and political realities. She asserted that films reflecting real-life experiences are inherently political, arguing that no story or filmmaker should be excluded from public discourse. “Personally, I don’t believe that there is any subject or any filmmaker that shouldn’t be heard,” she stated. The Venice Film Festival will run through September 12, offering a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. As the event unfolds, the conversation surrounding gender equity in the film industry continues to gain momentum, with figures like Gyllenhaal playing a pivotal role in challenging existing norms.