La Biennale 2024 Masterclass series will unfold 29 August – 6 September. The classes and conversations will take place at the Match Point Arena, set up at the Tennis Club Venezia on the Lido (Lungomare Marconi, corner via Emo, in front of the Hotel Excelsior, free entry for accreditation holders at the 81st Venice Film Festival). They will also be live-streamed at www.labiennale.org
Thursday 29 August
4.30 pm Masterclass with Sigourney Weaver, led by Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, film critic.
Weaver is the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement recipient. The decision was made by the Board of the Biennale di Venezia, which embraced the proposal of the festival’s director, Alberto Barbera.
“I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia,” said Weaver. “To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years. I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.”
Saturday 31 August
11.00 am Conversation between Nicola Piovani and Cristina Comencini, Il cinema cambia musica, led by Stéphan Lerouge, expert in music for cinema and curator of the collection Ecoutez le cinéma!
4.30 pm Conversation between Claude Lelouche (Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award) and Barbara Pravi, Music as an actor’s director, led by Stéphan Lerouge, expert in film music and curator of the collection Ecoutez le cinéma!
Sunday 1 September
10.30 am Conversation between Richard Gere and Mario Cordova, The connection(s) between a movie star and creative collaborators: Richard Gere on acting, screenwriting, lighting, film scoring… and dubbing, led by Stéphan Lerouge, expert in music for the cinema and curator of the collection Ecoutez le cinéma!
3.30 pm Masterclass with Peter Weir (Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement), led by Paolo Bertolin, film critic
Monday 2 September
10.00 am Masterclass with Ethan Hawke, led by Emanuele Rauco, film critic
Friday 6 September
4.00 pm Masterclass with Pupi Avati, led by Angela Prudenzi, film critic.