# Gender equality discussions at Venice Film Festival > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gender-equality-discussions-at-venice-film-festival > Updated: 2026-09-06T16:16:52.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival has incorporated discussions and screenings regarding gender equality and the social mechanisms of gender-based violence. Programming includes the documentary ‘La Trappola di Venere’ and a seminar by Women in Film, Television & Media Italia titled ‘2016-2026. Gender Equality in the Screen Industries: Looking Back to Look Forward’, which aims to analyze gender data from various cultural institutions. During the festival, Danish-Egyptian director May el-Toukhy criticized systemic inequality, noting she was the only woman directing a fiction film among the 21 Golden Lion contenders. El-Toukhy challenged the ‘cult of male genius’ and observed that despite the MeToo movement, the industry appears to be returning to previous patterns of exclusion. Festival director Alberto Barbera responded by stating that women directed 24% of submitted films, a decrease from 30% the previous year, and asserted that selections are based on artistic quality. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: May el-Toukhy highlights gender inequality at Venice Film Festival Director May el-Toukhy criticizes systemic gender inequality and the ‘cult of male genius’ at the Venice Film Festival, where she is the only woman directing a fiction film in the Golden Lion competition. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/may-el-toukhy-highlights-gender-inequality-at-venice-film-festival ### 2026-09-02: Venice Film Festival addresses gender equality and violence The Venice Film Festival will host the documentary ‘La Trappola di Venere’ and an annual seminar addressing gender equality and inclusion within the film industry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venice-film-festival-addresses-gender-equality-and-violence --- Cite as: Gender equality discussions at Venice Film Festival. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gender-equality-discussions-at-venice-film-festival