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Maria Soccor Hosts ‘Reel Women’ Spotlighting Female Filmmakers at Venice Film Festival – Hollywood Life

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Image Credit: Maria Soccor

The Venice Film Festival spotlighted women in cinema with Reel Women, a late-night celebration hosted by filmmaker, actress, and producer Maria Soccor at the Campari Lounge. Beginning at 10 p.m., the private event drew a mix of filmmakers, producers, actors, and industry executives in support of female-driven storytelling during one of the year’s most influential gatherings.

Soccor, known for her award-winning films and advocacy for underrepresented voices, has built her reputation as a festival presence, often moderating panels and mentoring emerging talent. With Reel Women, she expanded her mission in Venice, fostering dialogue and recognition for women shaping the film landscape.

Maria Soccor

The guest list reflected the festival’s global reach. Jared Harris attended with his wife Allegra as his new film House of Dynamite premiered at Venice to early acclaim. Other notable attendees included producer Debra Gainor of Producers Without Borders, actress Agathe Levi, producer Vicktoria Silmara Turmina of Mindgate Motion Pictures, Jojo Dye of The Members Club and Producers Without Borders, publicist Jane Owen of Jane Owen Public Relations, Ann Hafström of the Creative Lifestyle Agency, actress Tora Kim, and models Gillian Nation and Tia Goossen.

Maria Soccor

As the oldest international film festival, founded in 1932, Venice has remained a launchpad for cinema’s most significant works, ranking alongside Cannes and Berlin as one of Europe’s premier showcases. This year’s addition of Reel Women emphasized the importance of elevating female creators both in front of and behind the camera.

The evening was presented by Campari in partnership with Maria Soccor Productions Inc. and Jane Owen Public Relations. Guests enjoyed signature Campari cocktails, appetizers, and refreshments throughout the night. “Venice has long been a platform for extraordinary storytelling, and REEL WOMEN was a chance to gather in recognition of the incredible female talent shaping the industry today,” said Soccor.

Maria Soccor

By invitation only, the gathering underscored Campari and its partners’ commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and future voices in film. The Campari Lounge buzzed late into the night with the energy of collaboration and conversation that defines Venice’s most exciting week.

Maria Soccor

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San Sebastian-Bound 'Dolores' from Brazil Picked Up by The Open Reel
TV & Streaming

San Sebastian-Bound ‘Dolores’ from Brazil Picked Up by The Open Reel

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Leading Italian sales agent and production company The Open Reel has seized international sales rights to San Sebastián-bound “Dolores” by Marcelo Gomes (“Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures”) and Maria Clara Escobar (“Desterro”), sharing its trailer in exclusivity with Variety.

Based on a screenplay by the late Chico Teixeira, “Dolores” focuses on three generations of women, led by the titular Dolores, a 65-year old widow and recovering gambling addict (played by Carla Ribas, “Alice’s House”), who has had a dream about starting up her own casino. While she’s close to her granddaughter Duda (Ariane Aparecida), who works at a gun shop and aspires to migrate to the U.S., her relationship with her daughter Deborah (Naruna Costa), who’s waiting for her boyfriend to be released from prison, is rather strained.

The family drama is produced by Sara Silveira of Dezenove Som e Imagens, one of Brazil’s most prominent producers, behind such acclaimed hits as Gomes’ breakout Cannes-selected debut “Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures,” which represented Brazil at the Oscars in 2007, Berlinale main competition entry “All the Dead Ones” by Caetano Gotardo and Marco Dutra and “Cidade; Campo.”

Said The Open Reel’s Cosimo Santoro: “I immersed myself in the stories of Dolores, her daughter Deborah, and her granddaughter Duda: three women fighting to realize their dream of a better life, no matter the cost.”

“I’ve been following Marcelo Gomes’s films for years; I really enjoy them. I’m also delighted to be working again with producer Sara Silveria, with whom we collaborated on the film ‘Cidade; Campo,’ directed by Juliana Rojas and awarded at the Berlinale,” he added.

The trailer opens on Dolores listening to her horoscope while powdering her face, then it cuts to scenes of her daughter and granddaughter, the latter as she hones her shooting skills.

“Dolores is a woman brimming with charms and contradictions, facing the challenges of old age and betting on an all-or-nothing gamble. Despite a harsh routine in São Paulo’s periphery, Dolores refuses to stop dreaming of a better life. That’s her act of rebellion,” explained Gomes, who co-wrote the final screenplay with Escobar.

“Over the years, we built a friendship and a partnership that was born, first and foremost, from the desire to make cinema. To talk about people, imagine feelings, invent other paths. It seems to me that when two really want to make a film together, the work becomes a space of creation, of nourishment—in spite of any differences—of learning. I think, before anything else, we have a lot of respect for each other, for our work, for Chico’s work, for cinema,” said Escobar.

“The three generations, however, must adjust their dreams to transform the world together. There’s no solitary transformation. That was very important for us—the idea of dialectics in the film,” they said, adding: “One of the most compelling aspects of ‘Dolores’ is how the film is directly tied to our present, addressing issues like gambling addiction, firearm sales and the dream of immigration to the U.S.”

The film is intended to complete Teixeira’s acclaimed “Trilogy of Affections,” which began with “Alice’s House” (2007), followed by “Absence” (“Ausência”) (2014).

The casting choices are also a tribute to Teixeria, featuring not only Ribas but also Gilda Nomacce as Dolores’s best friend and Matheus Fagundes as Duda’s boyfriend, both leads in “Absence.”

“Dolores” is backed by the internationalization program Brasil no Mundo, Projeto Paradiso and São Paulo film-TV entity, Spcine.

Production is led by Silveira, Eliane Bandeira and Maria Ionescu. Misti Filmes is an associate producer while GT Produções is a co-producer. California Filmes releases the film in Brazil.

The 73rd edition of the San Sebastián Festival runs over Sept. 19-27.

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“REEL WOMEN” celebrated the voices of women in film at the prestigious The Venice Film Festival.
Hollywood

“REEL WOMEN” celebrated the voices of women in film at the prestigious The Venice Film Festival.

by jummy84
written by jummy84

The Venice Film Festival is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious demonstrations of international cinema. Taking place on September 1, 2025 in Venice, Italy, this festival has been a birth place to some of the most celebrated works in film, and is to this day still one of the European “Big Three” festivals (alongside Cannes and Berlin). 

The festival draws in the film community from all over the world to its red carpets and screenings each year, platforming emerging filmmakers and talent while also highlighting already established talent in the entertainment industry. It features major world premieres, red carpets with stars, and the esteemed Golden Lion award for the best film. It was held from Wednesday, August 27 to Saturday, September 26 in 2025.

This year, Maria Soccor hosted   at the 82nd Venice Film Festival to put a  spotlight on the amazing women working in the film industry. Maria Soccor is an award-winning actress, producer, director and filmmaker whose work has spanned documentary, narrative, and producing projects with a focus on underrepresented voices. Soccor frequents these international film festivals as a moderator, mentor, and champion of emerging filmmakers. She has been a long-time advocate of inclusivity and gender equality within art spaces, and consistently uses her platform to speak up for and amplify overlooked voices and perspectives. Soccor hosted REEL WOMEN in order to create a space for dialogue, connection and recognition at one of the most influential cultural gatherings for film in the world. 

This exclusive, late-night gathering took place at 10:00 PM in the Campari Lounge, which is a stunning bar area and event space in front of Palazzo del Cinema and on the sea, directly across from the iconic red carpet. It was presented by Campari in partnership with Maria Soccor Productions Inc. and Jane Owen Public Relations, an award-winning PR and events firm with over two decades of experience supporting top talents and brands at major international film festivals.  Campari is an iconic red bitter aperitif that is the flagship product of Campari group, which is an Italian company that produces spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. The evening featured gourmet appetisers and artisanal cocktails (courtesy of Campari) accompanied by elevated canapés and Italian hospitality, and a bar service delivered by Camparino in Galleria: one of the world’s best bars. A DJ and entertainment also brought the energy to this all-night event.

The event united filmmakers, actors, producers, and industry leaders in celebration of female voices and stories in cinema and entertainment. REEL WOMEN offered insightful networking and an elegant tribute spotlighting REEL WOMEN honorees. There were several notable film-industry names who attended this event. 

Actor Jared Harris and his wife, Allegra Riggio attended. Harris had his film A House of Dynamite premiere at The Venice Film Festival last week, which generated significant buzz for the political thriller. Film producer Debra Gainor attended the event as well with Producers without Borders. Producer Vicktoria Silmara Turmina of Mindgate Motion Pictures and the founder of The Members Club and Producers Without Borders, Jojo Dye, showed up. The founder of one of the world’s premiere independent film publicity agencies, Jane Owen, made an appearance as well as Ann Hafström of the Creative Lifestyle Agency. Actresses Agatha Levi and Tora Kims, and models Gillian Nation and Tia Goossen attended as well. 

“Venice has long been a platform for extraordinary storytelling, and REEL WOMEN was a chance to gather in recognition of the incredible female talent shaping the industry today,” said Maria Soccor. 

Soccor’s event underscored the urgency and importance of continuing to champion and uplift diverse storytellers from all backgrounds in front of and behind the camera. This private, invite only event reinforced the commitment of Campari and its partners to supporting creativity, inclusivity, and the next generation of storytellers. 

 

REEL WOMEN remained vibrant into the night, and was constantly buzzing with conversation, collaboration, and the unmistakable energy of the last night of The Venice Film Festival. This event was a great space for women in film to network and to lift up voices in the film industry that aren’t heard or seen as much as others. 

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