Maggie Gyllenhaal says films are ‘fundamentally, unavoidably political’ as she questions lack of female directors at Venice

Maggie Gyllenhaal has said that films are “fundamentally, unavoidably political” as she addressed the role of cinema and questioned the lack of female directors in competition at the 2026 Venice Film Festival.

Gyllenhaal, who is serving as president of the Venice Film Festival jury, was asked at a press conference whether she believes films should be political. Rather than separating cinema from politics, the actor and filmmaker argued that politics are inherently present in filmmaking.

Her comments came as the 83rd Venice Film Festival prepared to showcase a selection of films from filmmakers around the world, with questions about representation and the makeup of the competition continuing to surround the festival.

Gyllenhaal also addressed the number of female directors represented in this year's competition. She pointed to what she described as a broader, systemic issue rather than suggesting that the lack of women filmmakers was simply the result of individual programming decisions.

The filmmaker said there is “a systemic problem” when discussing the limited number of women directors in major film festival competitions. Her remarks reflect a long-running debate within the film industry about gender representation behind the camera and the opportunities available to female filmmakers.

Gyllenhaal has experience on both sides of the camera. She made her feature directorial debut with The Lost Daughter, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2021 and earned widespread critical acclaim. She later wrote and directed The Bride!, a reimagining of the classic Frankenstein story starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.

Her appointment as president of the Venice jury places her in charge of a panel that will determine the recipient of the festival's prestigious Golden Lion and other major prizes. Gyllenhaal is joined on the jury by filmmakers and industry figures including Johnnie To, Kaouther Ben Hania and Shahrbanoo Sadat.

The actress and director's comments come at a Venice edition where politics has already emerged as a significant theme. This year's festival includes films addressing political, social and cultural issues, while discussions surrounding representation and the relationship between cinema and current events have continued alongside the premieres.

Gyllenhaal's position that films cannot easily be separated from politics reflects her own filmmaking approach. Her work as a director has frequently explored questions surrounding women, identity, relationships and social expectations.

As the Venice Film Festival continues, Gyllenhaal is expected to play a central role in discussions about the films competing for the festival's top prizes. Her comments have also placed renewed attention on the representation of women directors and the broader political dimensions of cinema.