In this fourth segment of Deadline’s video interview series Merchant of Venice with Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera, he discusses why he was forced to quit the festival in 2001, only to find success in Torino that led Venice to ask him to return. Barbera describes his conditions of acceptance, including an overhaul of theaters to serve as sites for film premieres, a tighter selection process that meant fewer and better films, and a courtship of Hollywood studios. These moves fueled the momentum that has made Venice a prime stop on the awards trail.

Venice Film Festival: Deadline’s Full Coverage

Barbera also discusses the festival’s ferocious protective attitude to directors like Jafar Panahi, now incarcerated by Iran but whose No Bears will grace this year’s festival. Venice opened this year’s edition with a heartfelt address from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and here, Barbera talks about why all this is vital to the life blood of the festival.

Up Saturday (finale): How to Build a Festival Lineup

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