Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki is set to make a notable return to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as a jury member during its 48th edition, scheduled from September 7th to the 17th. With a remarkable career spanning roles as a writer, director, and actor, Labaki will serve on the TIFF Platform jury in addition to esteemed figures such as Academy Award-winning American filmmaker Barry Jenkins and Canadian Platform Prize-winning filmmaker Anthony Shim.
Labaki's journey to international recognition began with the release of her first film 'Caramel' in 2007, which had its world premiere during the Directors' Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival. The film also held the distinction of representing Lebanon in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 80th Academy Awards.
Her trailblazing continued with the 2011 film 'Where Do We Go Now?' which achieved the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2018, Labaki's drama 'Capernaum' achieved the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and achieved an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Platform program at TIFF has been lauded for its consistent selection of daring and unique directorial visions since its start in 2015. The forthcoming edition of the festival will feature ten feature films vying for the coveted CAD 20,000 prize.
Labaki's influence is not limited to TIFF, as she has also been named a jury member for the 80th Venice International Film Festival, taking place from August 30 to September 9. The distinguished panel includes other notable names such as French Cesar-winning actor and producer Elsa Zylberstein, Mexican actor and Oscar nominee Yalitza Aparicio, British-Nigerian screenwriter Misan Sagay, and renowned Italian director Stefano Savona.
Variety reports that Labaki and her fellow jurors will evaluate the competing films based on multiple criteria. This includes artistic creativity, political relevance in today's world, the potential to alter audience perceptions of the topics being discussed, as well as the capacity to motivate viewers towards meaningful action.
