Afghan filmmaker, born in Tehran (1991)
Venice features a mix of veteran and new voices, with female directors underrepresented in the main competition. Maggie Gyllenhaal heads a diverse jury, while NAZA debuts as a documentary; May el-Toukhy’s Woman Unknown is highlighted for its post-war drama.
Venice has announced its lineup with new titles and a slate that mirrors Cannes in its mix of international cinema and documentaries. TIFF has revealed more than 60 films for its gala and special presentations, signaling its role as a key market ahead of the fall awards race. The two festivals showcase a mix of traditional studio projects and bold indie filmmaking.