Posted by Larry Gleeson
John Landis, American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer who got his start in the mail room at 20th Century- Fox has been tabbed to be the President of the Venice Virtual Reality International Jury over the new competition for virtual reality (VR) films: Venice Virtual Reality.
Last year I witnessed the world premiere presentation of the first feature length VR film (Jesus VR). This year there will be up to 18 VR films in the Venice Virtual Reality competition at the newly constructed VR Theater inside the Palazzo del Casinò, Lido di Venezia. The competition will be held from August 31st through September 5th, 2017.
The members of the International Jury of the Venice Virtual Reality section are:
· The American director John Landis (President of the Jury), a key figure in American cinema for the past forty years. Landis has influenced generations of filmmakers with his movies, which include Animal House, TheBlues Brothers, An American Werewolf in London, Trading Places. Into the Night, one of his most famous movies, will be screened in its restored version in Venice this year. In 2008 Landis was a jury member for the Competition at the 65thVenice Film Festival.
· The French screenwriter and director Céline Sciamma. Naissance des pieuvres, her first film, was presented in Cannes in 2007, as was Bande de filles seven years later. She became famous with her second feature film, Tomboy, presented in Berlin and the winner of many awards. Her screenplays include Ma vie de courgette, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.
· The actor and director Ricky Tognazzi. He won a Silver Bear for Best Director with Ultrà, tying with The Silence of the Lambs, and a David di Donatello in the same category, a feat he repeated two years later with La scorta, which participated In Competition in Cannes. In 2011, he presented Tutta colpa della musica in Venice. He has performed in movies such as Una storia semplice and Caruso Pascoski di padre polacco.
The Jury of Venice Virtual Reality will award, with no ex-aequo awards permitted, the following prizes: Best VR, Best VR experience (for interactive content), Best VR story (for linear content).
Stay tuned for more on Venice Virtual Reality!
(Sourced from the Biennale Press Office)
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