My Notes on Mars will open the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate Degli Autori

Lina HopeJuly 22, 2026

0 0 7 minutes read

The independently run Giornate Degli Autori, a vibrant sidebar at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, will commence its 23rd edition with the premiere of Lili Horvát’s highly anticipated English-language debut, My Notes on Mars. Starring Mackenzie Davis and Rupert Friend, the film marks a significant step for the acclaimed Hungarian filmmaker, whose previous work, Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, also found its genesis at Venice and later screened at Toronto in 2020. This year’s opening night selection signals a strong emphasis on compelling narratives and directorial vision within the Giornate Degli Autori program.

A Curated Selection Championing Diverse Voices

The Giornate Degli Autori, also known as Venice Days, has unveiled a richly assorted lineup for its 23rd edition, running from September 2nd to September 12th, concurrently with the official Venice Film Festival selection. This year’s program is characterized by a significant presence of female directors and stories that delve into the female experience, irrespective of the filmmaker’s gender. The section boasts a total of 25 world premieres, with a notable 14 of these helmed by women, underscoring a growing trend towards greater representation and diverse storytelling within international cinema.

This commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of perspectives is a cornerstone of the Giornate Degli Autori’s mission. Established in 2004, the section was modeled after the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, aiming to provide a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to present innovative and auteur-driven cinema. Its founding was deeply intertwined with the vision of Italian film critic Giorgio Gosetti, who served as its guiding spirit and driving force for 23 years until his passing in March at the age of 70. Gosetti’s dedication was instrumental in transforming Venice Days into a globally recognized and respected festival segment, fostering a community of filmmakers and industry professionals. The current edition is dedicated to his memory, honoring his profound impact on independent cinema.

"My Notes on Mars": A Journey into Memory and Identity

Lili Horvát’s My Notes on Mars is poised to captivate audiences with its intriguing premise. The film centers on Margot (Mackenzie Davis), an astrophysicist grappling with a troubled marriage. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she vanishes during a hike with her husband, Sam (Rupert Friend). Weeks later, she inexplicably reappears on the very day of her memorial service. However, Margot’s return is marked by a profound amnesia; she remembers nothing of her past life, with the sole exception of her scientific research on Mars. This central mystery of lost identity and the lingering echoes of scientific passion promises a thought-provoking cinematic experience. The film’s exploration of memory, trauma, and the human capacity for reinvention aligns with the Giornate Degli Autori’s penchant for intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant narratives.

An All-Female Jury to Evaluate the Competition

Adding a significant layer of gravitas to the competition, My Notes on Mars is one of ten films vying for accolades within the Giornate Degli Autori competition. This year’s jury is composed entirely of women, presided over by the esteemed Spanish director Carla Simón, known for her critically acclaimed films Alcarràs and Romeria. She will be joined by Hania Mroué, the founder and director of Beirut’s celebrated Metropolis Cinema, and Italian director and producer Sara Fgaier. This all-female jury composition reflects the program’s broader commitment to amplifying female voices and perspectives within the film industry. The presence of such accomplished women on the jury signifies a deliberate effort to ensure that the selected films are evaluated through a lens that is increasingly attuned to diverse experiences and artistic approaches.

A Diverse and Compelling Competition Lineup

Beyond the opening film, the Giornate Degli Autori competition offers a rich tapestry of international cinema. Polish-born director Kuba Dorabialski’s Agata the Writer is another notable entry. The film features Mia Wasikowska as a Polish-Australian satirical novelist who embarks on a journey from Sydney to Sarajevo with the intention of writing a novel about the Bosnian War. Her creative endeavor, however, is met with unexpected challenges and resistance from the local community, suggesting a narrative that probes the complexities of historical representation and cultural engagement.

Other standout films in the competition include:

Balcanica by Italian director Nicola Sorcinelli: This film follows Afghan musicians who traverse the Balkan route after music has been banned in their homeland. Starring Matilda De Angelis, who also serves as a co-producer, Balcanica promises a poignant exploration of art’s resilience in the face of oppression.
Dear Ajayi by Nigerian director Damilola Orimogunje: The narrative focuses on two estranged Nigerian sisters who are reunited at the wake of a tragedy, hinting at a powerful family drama steeped in cultural context and emotional depth.
A Woman Today by French filmmaker Robert Guédiguian: This film delves into the life of Juliette, a young woman holding a high-powered finance position, whose world unravels after she is assaulted by a colleague at a company event. This selection brings a socially relevant and potentially searing commentary on power dynamics and workplace vulnerability to the forefront.

The inclusion of these diverse stories underscores the Giornate Degli Autori’s dedication to presenting films that are not only artistically significant but also socially and culturally relevant, reflecting the multifaceted realities of the contemporary world.

Special Events and Emerging Talent

The Giornate Degli Autori also features a compelling slate of special events and an array of short films. Italian director Francesca Archibugi’s documentary Carla Lonzi, A Feminist Story offers a deep dive into the life and work of the radical feminist activist and art critic. This documentary promises to shed light on a pivotal figure in feminist thought and activism.

Dutch-Egyptian director Ashgan El-Hamus makes her debut with Al Baraneya, a film set in an Egyptian village. It follows a young, pregnant woman who is contemplating a promising future in the city, contingent on the sale of her family’s land. This debut film is expected to offer a nuanced portrayal of personal aspirations clashing with familial and societal pressures.

The closing film for this year’s Venice Days is A Man’s Skin, a queer and feminist musical comedy by French director Léa Domenach. Set against the backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, the film reunites Domenach with the iconic Catherine Deneuve, following their previous collaboration on the Bernadette Chirac comedy The President’s Wife. This choice for the closing night suggests a celebration of bold, genre-bending cinema with a progressive outlook.

Furthermore, the Prada-commissioned Miu Miu Women’s Tales series will showcase shorts by acclaimed female directors Mona Fastvold and Claire Denis, further highlighting the section’s commitment to supporting and celebrating women in cinema. These short films, often experimental and thematically rich, provide a glimpse into the diverse creative outputs of female filmmakers.

Artistic Director’s Vision: A Patchwork of Genres

Gaia Furrer, the artistic director of Giornate Degli Autori, articulated the section’s overarching vision, emphasizing the "variety of narrative forms on display." She described the selection as encompassing "sentimental science fiction, experimental documentaries, history films, family melodramas, anti-hero westerns, musical comedies and other works that freely cross the borders between documentary film and fiction, autobiography and invention." This eclectic mix of genres and approaches reflects a conscious effort to present a dynamic and evolving landscape of contemporary filmmaking.

Furrer further elaborated, stating, "It’s a patchwork of genres that reflects the vibrancy of contemporary cinema and its ability to evolve along with the world itself." This statement encapsulates the spirit of Venice Days: a celebration of cinematic innovation, a willingness to embrace diverse storytelling methods, and a keen awareness of cinema’s role in reflecting and shaping societal discourse. The inclusion of films that blur the lines between documentary and fiction, autobiography and invention, points to a program that values artistic experimentation and challenges traditional cinematic conventions.

The Legacy of Giorgio Gosetti

The 23rd edition of Venice Days is not only a showcase of new cinematic talent but also a tribute to a significant figure in its history. The dedication to Giorgio Gosetti underscores his indelible mark on the festival section. As the founder of Venice Days, Gosetti envisioned a space that would champion independent voices and foster a sense of community among filmmakers. His passing represents a profound loss, but his legacy continues to inspire the ongoing work of the Giornate Degli Autori. The section’s continued success and its commitment to artistic integrity are a testament to his enduring influence.

The Giornate Degli Autori has consistently provided a vital platform for films that might otherwise struggle to find distribution, offering a crucial space for challenging narratives and bold artistic choices. Its programming decisions, particularly the emphasis on female directors and stories exploring the female universe, signal a forward-thinking approach to cinema that acknowledges the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding our complex world. As the festival unfolds, the selection promises to engage, provoke, and inspire, reinforcing Venice Days’ position as a vital hub for independent cinema on the international stage.

Full Lineup of Venice Days 2024:

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