Venice Film Festival Awards Golden Lions to Thelma Schoonmaker and Frederick Wiseman

The Venice International Film Festival, now celebrating its 71st birthday, has named film editor Thelma Schoonmaker and film director Frederick Wiseman as recipients of the Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement. The Board of Directors of the Biennale di Venezia, under chair Paolo Baratta, and festival director Alberto Barbera, made the final decision.

One of the most lauded editors in the business, Schoonmaker won three Oscars for Scorsese films “Raging Bull,” “The Aviator” and “The Departed,” and continues to promote the films and writings of late husband Michael Powell. Schoonmaker is the first editor to receive the Golden Lion.

Intrepid indie doc filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, no stranger to Venice, has made over 40 films that capture everyday human reality around the world, from “Titicut Follies” in 1967 to “Public Housing” in 1997, and new masterpieces “La danse” in 2009 and 2013’s “At Berkeley.” His most recent work, “National Gallery,” was seen at Cannes.

This year’s fest runs August 27 to September 6. Full program to be announced on July 24 in Rome. Alejando Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Birdman” will open the fest.