Giorgio Gosetti, an Italian film critic, journalist, and co-founder of the Venice Days section at the Venice Film Festival, has died at the age of 70. Gosetti worked for many years for the ANSA press agency and also served as director of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. His death, which occurred on March 6, 2026, has plunged the film world into mourning. Italian media highlight his contribution to the development of independent cinema and the discovery of new talents.

Death of a Critic and Journalist

Giorgio Gosetti, an Italian film critic and journalist, has died at the age of 70. For a long time, he was associated with the ANSA press agency, where he worked as a journalist and critic. He was also the co-founder and long-time director of the Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) section at the Venice Film Festival.

Co-founder of Venice Days

Gosetti was one of the founders of the Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) section, which runs parallel to the main competition of the Venice festival. This section, established in 2004, focuses on auteur and independent cinema, serving as a platform for debutants and filmmakers seeking new forms of expression. Gosetti led it for many years.

Director of a Film School

From 2017 to 2022, Giorgio Gosetti served as the general director of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC), the state film school in Italy. During this time, he initiated the "Custodi di sogni" (Guardians of Dreams) project, dedicated to the protection and digitization of Italian film heritage, whose inauguration took place on the day of his death.

Reactions from the Film Community

Gosetti's death has been met with numerous expressions of sorrow and recognition from the Italian and international film community. His passion, competence, and deep humanism were emphasized. His passing was described as leaving a void in the cinematographic community. Many remembered him as a mentor and a person open to dialogue.

The Italian film world has been plunged into mourning following the death of Giorgio Gosetti, an eminent critic, journalist, and film industry organizer, who died on March 6, 2026, at the age of 70. For decades, Gosetti was one of the key figures in Italian cinema, combining his role as a journalist for the ANSA agency with curatorial and managerial functions. His most important work was co-founding and long-term management of the Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) section, an integral yet independent part of the Venice International Film Festival. Venice Days, founded in 2004, was established on the initiative of an association of filmmakers, including Gosetti, in response to the need to present auteur cinema and discover new voices. This section, often seen as an "independent salon" on the Lido, under his leadership became a prestigious platform for debutants and experimental filmmakers from around the world. Gosetti was also the general director of the state film school Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC) from 2017 to 2022. On the day of his death, the CSC inaugurated the "Custodi di sogni" (Guardians of Dreams) project, dedicated to the protection of film archives, which symbolically concluded one of his last ventures. The Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, founded in 1935, is the oldest state film school in the world, of immense importance for training generations of Italian filmmakers. The Venice Film Festival, founded in 1932, is the oldest film festival in the world, and its main competition section (Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica) traditionally competes with Cannes and Berlin for world premieres. Gosetti's death has been met with a broad response in the media and the industry. He was remembered not only as a competent professional but also as a man of deep humanism, open to dialogue and ready to support young creators. His colleagues and friends emphasized that he leaves behind an indelible legacy and a void difficult to fill. Giorgio Gosetti has etched his name in the history of Italian cinema as a guardian of artistic freedom and an advocate for cinema as a socially engaged art.

Mentioned People

  • Giorgio Gosetti — Italian film critic, ANSA journalist, co-founder and director of Venice Days, former director of Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia.