Several Italian film organizations have publicly criticized the Venice Film Festival for including only one film directed by a woman in its main competition this year. In an open letter published in an Italian newspaper, six film bodies—including Women in Film Television and Media Italia—called the selection “one-dimensional” and “male-dominated.” The letter follows the festival’s announcement of its 2026 Official Selection, which features 20 films vying for the Golden Lion. Of those, only one is directed by a woman. The groups also noted that the seven Italian films selected were all directed by men. This marks a sharp drop in female representation compared to previous years. The organizations urged the festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, to take immediate steps to address the gender imbalance. Barbera has not yet responded publicly. The Venice Film Festival, one of the most prestigious in the world, has faced similar criticism in the past for its lack of gender diversity. The letter demands that future selections better reflect the talent and contributions of women filmmakers. The festival is scheduled to take place later this year.