Biennale chief slams EU for cutting Russia-linked funds
Venice Biennale chairman Pietrangelo Buttafuoco slammed the European Union at Thursday’s Venice Film Festival press conference for withdrawing a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant over Russia’s presence at the arts exhibition. The Biennale chief slams for what he called political abandonment that undercuts cinema funding and artistic autonomy.
Key Takeaways
- The EU pulled a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant after Russia returned to the Biennale arts exhibition for the first time since invading Ukraine in 2022.
- Buttafuoco said the cut hits cinema work—Biennale College and Venice Production Bridge—not the art show itself.
- He refused to bow to EU pressure, citing the foundation’s autonomy and freedom of expression across six artistic sectors.
- Italy’s government has so far not sacked him and has allowed Russia to participate.
- The EU did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
What did the Biennale chief say about the EU funding cut?
Speaking ahead of the Venice Film Festival lineup announcement, Buttafuoco delivered an impassioned rebuke of the European Commission’s Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), which earlier this week followed through on its threat to pull the grant.
“They are abandoning us today because of a political decision, certainly not a legal decision, and certainly not a cultural decision,” he said. “They are abandoning us in our journey, but La Biennale cannot accept that.”
He argued that yielding to EU pressure would undermine “the autonomy and freedom of expression” of the arts foundation, which spans art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, and theater.
Why does Russia’s return to the arts Biennale matter for film?
Although the dispute centers on the arts exhibition, Buttafuoco stressed the withdrawn EU money was not funding that show. It supported cinema-sector activities, including the Biennale College film fund and Venice Production Bridge initiatives.
That crossover is why the clash surfaced at the film festival press conference—and why it matters for anyone following European festival and streaming and TV alerts coverage tied to Venice’s cinema pipeline.
Russia’s participation marks its first return since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The country pulled out of the 2022 arts Biennale and did not attend in 2024.
How has Italy responded to Russia’s inclusion?
Buttafuoco has defended Russia’s place under exhibition rules: any country with relations with Italy has a right to participate. He has clashed with Italy’s government, which oversees the Biennale foundation.
So far, the government has decided not to intervene by sacking him and has backpedalled, allowing Russia to take part. For the full report, see Variety’s coverage.
The EU had not immediately responded when Variety sought comment, leaving the funding fight unresolved as Venice’s film edition moves ahead.