The Venice Film Festival's Exciting New Lineup

Guillermo del Toro Gómez, born October 9, 1964, in Guadalajara, Mexico, is a globally recognized filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and author renowned for his imaginative, visually rich approach to storytelling, particularly in the genres of horror, fantasy, and science fiction[3]. Del Toro began his career in special effects makeup before transitioning to directing, with his debut feature, "Cronos" (1993), a fresh twist on the vampire myth, earning widespread acclaim and multiple Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy of Film, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay[1][2]. The film also won the International Critics’ Week grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing him as a major new voice in cinema[2]. Del Toro’s work often alternates between Spanish-language dark fantasy, such as "The Devil’s Backbone" (2001) and "Pan’s Labyrinth" (2006), and mainstream Hollywood productions like "Blade II" (2002), "Hellboy" (2004), its sequel "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (2008), and "Pacific Rim" (2013)[3]. "Pan’s Labyrinth" in particular brought him international fame, earning three Academy Award nominations and cementing his reputation for blending fairy-tale wonder with harrowing historical realism[1]. His 2017 film "The Shape of Water," a fantastical romance about a mute woman and a mysterious aquatic creature, became a critical and commercial triumph, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and a Golden Globe for Best Director[4][8]. This made del Toro the third Mexican director to win the Best Director Oscar, following his compatriots Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu, with whom he is often grouped as part of "The Three Amigos of Cinema"[3]. Beyond directing, del Toro is a prolific producer, with credits on films such as "The Orphanage," "Biutiful," and animated features like "Kung Fu Panda 2" and "Puss in Boots," as well as executive producing television series such as "The Strain" and "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia"[3][6]. He is known for his recurring themes of monstrosity, religion, and imperfection, often emphasizing practical effects and distinctive visual motifs[3][5]. Del Toro’s influence extends into literature, having authored novels and contributed to graphic novels. Recently, del Toro’s "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio" (2022), a stop-motion animated film, received widespread praise and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, demonstrating his continued relevance and versatility in both live-action and animation[6]. He remains an active and celebrated figure in global cinema, frequently advocating for the power of storytelling and creative freedom. Del Toro’s unique vision and dedication to exploring the beauty in the grotesque have secured his place as one of the most distinctive auteurs of his generation[1][3][5].

Benjamin "Benny" Safdie (born February 24, 1986) is an American filmmaker, actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his collaborative work with his older brother Josh Safdie. The Safdie brothers are recognized for their intense, naturalistic films set in New York City, including *Heaven Knows What* (2014), *Good Time* (2017), and *Uncut Gems* (2019). Benny’s performances and directing style have garnered critical acclaim, with his role as Nick in *Good Time* earning him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male[2][4]. Benny was born and raised in New York City, of Syrian Jewish descent. He grew up between Queens with his father and Manhattan with his mother and stepfather. He attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School and graduated from Boston University’s College of Communication in 2008[2][5]. His filmmaking career began with his brother, with early works such as *Daddy Longlegs* (2009), inspired by their childhood experiences, and the documentary *Lenny Cooke* (2013). Together, they co-founded Elara Pictures, their production company responsible for their films and the Showtime series *The Curse* (2023), which Benny co-created, wrote, and starred in[1][2][6]. In addition to his work with Josh, Benny has expanded his solo career, including his 2025 solo directorial debut *The Smashing Machine*, which won the Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. He has also appeared in notable films like Paul Thomas Anderson’s *Licorice Pizza* (2021), *Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret* (2023), *Oppenheimer* (2023) where he portrayed physicist Edward Teller, and the upcoming *Happy Gilmore 2* (2025)[2][4][5]. Benny Safdie is married to Ava Safdie, with whom he has two children. He is known for his strong connection to his Jewish heritage and his focus on capturing authentic, real-life personalities on film[5][6][8].

Kathryn Bigelow is an acclaimed American film director, producer, and screenwriter known for her pioneering work in Hollywood, especially in the action and thriller genres. She began her career in the early 1980s, with her feature directorial debut being *The Loveless* (1981), co-directed with Monty Montgomery. Over the years, Bigelow built a reputation for crafting intense, stylistically bold films such as *Near Dark* (1987), *Blue Steel* (1990), and *Point Break* (1991). Her early work often explored themes of violence and masculinity through a distinctive visual style. Bigelow gained international recognition and historic distinction with *The Hurt Locker* (2008), an Iraq War thriller focusing on a bomb disposal team. The film received nine Academy Award nominations and won six, including Best Picture. Bigelow herself became the first woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director for this film, marking a milestone in Oscar history. She continued to explore politically charged and socially relevant subjects with *Zero Dark Thirty* (2012), which depicted the decade-long manhunt for Osama bin Laden, earning another Best Picture nomination. In 2017, she directed *Detroit*, a film centered on the 1967 Detroit riots, further demonstrating her skill at dramatizing historical events with emotional depth. After a hiatus, Bigelow returned to the cinema in 2025 with *A House of Dynamite*, a thriller about U.S. government officials responding to a nuclear threat, highlighting her ongoing engagement with urgent political themes. Throughout her career, Bigelow has been recognized for her intense, action-oriented storytelling and for breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated industry. She remains a relevant and influential figure in contemporary cinema, continuing to collaborate on projects that blend gripping narratives with socially conscious themes[1][3][5].

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, born May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California, is an American actor, producer, former professional wrestler, and former football player. He initially pursued a football career, earning a full scholarship to the University of Miami, where he played defensive tackle and was part of a national championship team. After injuries curtailed his football prospects, including a brief stint with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders, Johnson transitioned to professional wrestling, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather[1][2][7]. He debuted in WWE (then WWF) in 1996 as "Rocky Maivia" before evolving into "The Rock," a charismatic and highly successful wrestling persona. Known for his mic skills and electrifying presence, Johnson won multiple WWE championships, including eight world titles, and became one of the most popular and influential wrestlers in history. He retired from full-time wrestling in 2019 but made significant returns for special events, notably headlining WrestleMania XXVIII in 2012 against John Cena, contributing to WWE’s record pay-per-view sales[2][4][6][8]. Johnson launched a prolific acting career beginning with a role in *The Mummy Returns* (2001) and his first lead in *The Scorpion King* (2002). He became a major Hollywood star through roles in action and family films such as *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* (2017), *Fast & Furious* franchise (as Luke Hobbs), *Hercules* (2014), and *Black Adam* (2022). He also voiced Maui in Disney’s *Moana* (2016) and its 2024 sequel. Johnson has produced and starred in television series including HBO’s *Ballers* and the autobiographical *Young Rock* (2021-2023)[3][5]. Recognized by *Time* magazine as one of the world’s most influential people in 2016 and 2019, Johnson remains a prominent figure in entertainment and popular culture. His recent work includes starring as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the 2025 biographical drama *The Smashing Machine*[3][5].

Julia Roberts is an American actress born on October 28, 1967, in Smyrna, Georgia, into a family of actors and playwrights. She began her career in the late 1980s with supporting roles in films such as *Mystic Pizza* and *Steel Magnolias*, gaining early recognition with an Academy Award nomination for the latter. Roberts achieved worldwide fame with the 1990 romantic comedy *Pretty Woman*, where she played Vivian Ward opposite Richard Gere, earning a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress[1][6][7]. Throughout the 1990s, Roberts starred in a series of successful films including *Flatliners* (1990), *Sleeping with the Enemy* (1991), *The Pelican Brief* (1993), *Something to Talk About* (1995), *My Best Friend’s Wedding* (1997), and *Stepmom* (1998), also serving as executive producer on some projects[1]. In 2000, she founded Shoelace Productions and starred in *Erin Brockovich*, portraying a real-life legal assistant who helped win a major environmental lawsuit. This role won her the Academy Award for Best Actress and made her the highest-paid actress at the time, commanding $20 million for the film[1][5][6]. In the early 2000s, Roberts appeared in ensemble films like *Ocean’s Eleven* (2001) and *Ocean’s Twelve* (2004), and took on complex dramatic roles such as in *Closer* (2004). She made her Broadway debut in 2006 with *Three Days of Rain* and continued working in both film and production. Her notable later work includes *Charlie Wilson’s War* (2007), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and *August: Osage County*, for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award[3][5]. Roberts remains a significant figure in Hollywood, recognized for her blend of charisma, versatility, and box office appeal. She has received multiple awards, including three Golden Globes, and was named the People’s Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress of All Time in 2013[6]. She is married to cameraman Danny Moder and continues to act and produce films.

Luca Guadagnino is an Italian film director and producer born on August 10, 1971, in Palermo, Sicily. He spent part of his childhood in Ethiopia before returning to Italy, where he studied literary history and film at La Sapienza University in Rome. Guadagnino began his career directing short films in the late 1990s and gained early attention with his experimental feature *The Protagonists* (1999), which starred Tilda Swinton, a frequent collaborator throughout his career. He is best known for emotionally complex and visually rich films such as *I Am Love* (2009), *A Bigger Splash* (2015), and the internationally acclaimed *Call Me by Your Name* (2017), which earned four Academy Award nominations and significantly raised the profile of both Guadagnino and lead actor Timothée Chalamet. His work often explores themes of desire, identity, and intimacy, frequently through literary adaptations. Guadagnino also directed the 2018 remake of the horror classic *Suspiria* and the 2022 film *Bones and All*, continuing to build his reputation for blending emotional depth with sumptuous visuals. In recent years, he has expanded his scope with projects such as *Challengers* (2024), a tennis drama, and the adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel *Queer* (2024), starring Daniel Craig. He is currently involved in several upcoming films, including *Separate Rooms* and *After the Hunt*, featuring well-known actors like Léa Seydoux, Josh O’Connor, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield. Guadagnino is recognized as one of the most influential contemporary Italian filmmakers working internationally, noted for his sophisticated storytelling and frequent collaborations with prominent actors and creatives. His ongoing projects and recent releases maintain his relevance in global cinema today[1][3][4][5][6].