International film journalists complain that they are denied access to major talents such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Lady Gaga at the Venice Film Festival. They warn that “film journalism is in danger of extinction” if studios and press representatives continue to turn their backs on them.
While stars and filmmakers like Cate Blanchett and Sigourney Weaver attend red carpet appearances and press conferences – as well as a handful of select interviews with top media outlets – the majority of journalists attending the festival have been denied access to the big names of talent.
They have now written an open letter to the industry warning that the situation is becoming untenable. An open letter has already been signed by 50 journalists complaining about the lack of access to Europe’s top festivals. In addition to Venice, the letter also points to Cannes and the Berlinale, which are equally unsupportive of film and entertainment journalists, many of whom work freelance and rely on an exclusive quote to get a story published.
The letter was published on the Facebook account of a group called “International Film Festivals Journalists,” which brings together more than 700 members, including journalists, film publicists and festival programmers. The group was founded in 2020 during lockdown by Italian freelance journalist Marco Consoli, at a time when festivals were in crisis and face-to-face interviews were not possible.
Not only does the letter point out that it will no longer be worth sending journalists from around the world to these festivals if they cannot access interviews with big stars (which will inevitably have a domino effect on coverage of smaller, independent films), but it also warns that film journalists may well decide to boycott the event in the future.
“Ultimately, the protest could also affect the festivals themselves, which carries the risk of hundreds of accredited journalists and publications leaving the festivals. The commentary on the films and the opinions of their authors would then be left to artificial intelligence,” the letter says.
Read the full letter below:
Film journalism is in danger of extinction. The Venice Film Festival has just begun and we already know that many films that will have their world premiere at the festival this year will not give a single interview to the press. Zero, zero, nada. This decision, influenced by the studios and supported by many publicists, puts at risk an entire category of journalists, especially freelancers, who with their passionate and tireless work often contribute to the success of films, give voice and prestige to directors and actors, and help spark the debate on projects aimed at Oscars, Golden Globes and other prestigious awards. After striking for months in Hollywood to save thousands of jobs, directors and actors are now putting just as many jobs at risk by supporting the policies of the same studios and producers who were previously their enemies, refusing to give interviews to journalists who survive thanks to them.
Because of the rapid and profound changes in the media landscape, more and more journalists today are working freelance, which means they are self-sufficient. That is, they engage in what is known as “pitching” to sell stories that will ensure their survival. Every day, they do their best to write about things that are meaningful, innovative, and of great artistic value. But the media always prefers names, stars, and mainstream projects. If journalists get those stars, they can also ensure that the first-time filmmakers, the innovators, and all the wonderfully talented artists with less commercial appeal also get their media exposure through their efforts. Just as event organizers need big stars to keep the eyes of the world on the event, the international press needs interviews with them to make their work profitable.
After last year’s red carpets were devoid of Hollywood stars and most of the filmmakers involved in the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, this edition promises to be star-studded. The problem is that almost all of the headliners at the 81st Mostra del Cinema will be unavailable for press activities other than walking the red carpet and speaking at the official press conference. This “red carpet activities only” message from PR people has been brewing for some time, including at other festivals like Cannes and Berlinale. However, the extent of their unavailability during the upcoming festival is unprecedented. The festival brings in names to gain prestige and media exposure, but then seems to develop amnesia when it comes to the actual journalists.
We find this shocking and deeply disturbing. We call for a change to this policy, which has long plagued all major festivals, and a return to interview junkets for the press at film festivals. Today, the protest has only just begun, but soon hundreds of journalists and media outlets could boycott films and deny artists access to interviews at festivals. Eventually, the protest could involve the festivals themselves, which could result in the departure of hundreds of accredited journalists and publications, and where commentary on films and the opinions of their authors would be left to artificial intelligence.
