Alice Rohrwacher, the acclaimed Italian director, has been selected to chair the prestigious Golden Camera jury at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. This marks another significant moment for Rohrwacher, who has been a part of the festival since 2011. In this role, she will be responsible for selecting the best debutant director during the festival’s closing ceremony, a task she takes on with thoughtful reflection.
In a statement, Rohrwacher beautifully expressed her thoughts on the significance of first experiences, saying, “First times are always important and they stay with us for the rest of our lives,” and comparing them to deeply memorable moments like a first kiss or arriving on a new shore. She reflected on the golden nature of such moments, which might explain why the award for first films is called the Caméra d’Or.
Born in Fiesole, Italy in 1981, Rohrwacher has a rich background in both music and film, having studied in Turin and Lisbon. She made her mark early, with her first feature film, Heavenly Body, premiering at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. Other notable works include The Wonders (Le meraviglie), which earned her the Grand Prix at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, and Happy as Lazaro, available to stream on Netflix.
Cannes organizers have highlighted Rohrwacher’s distinctive approach, noting how her work explores deep personal connections and stories of discovery. The Wonders, in particular, paints a poignant portrait of young sisters on a secluded farm, with the intrusion of modern society symbolized by a reality show crew.
The Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13 to 24, and the world eagerly awaits Rohrwacher’s role as juror for the Caméra d’Or, adding yet another layer of excitement to the event.