Maria Soccor Paints The Lido Red at Mostra 82, The 82nd Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia, with "Reel Women Hosted by Maria Soccor" at The Campari Lounge

Tammy Reese Media
2 days ago
5 min read

At That Girl, we take pride in celebrating visionary women who are breaking barriers, inspiring others, and making a lasting impact in their industries. These are women who walk boldly in purpose, lead with expertise, and embody what it truly means to be a trailblazer.

Today, we spotlight Maria Soccor. A proud NYWIFT Leadership member and Film Fatales advocate whose award-winning career spans documentary, narrative, and producing projects that champion underrepresented voices. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and gender equality in the arts, Maria has become a powerful voice on and off screen. Known for her presence at international film festivals as a moderator, mentor, and supporter of emerging talent, she continues to amplify stories that deserve to be heard. Most recently, with REEL WOMEN at the Venice Film Festival, Maria furthered her mission by creating a platform for dialogue, connection, and recognition on one of cinema’s grandest stages.

Please enjoy our exclusive interview with Maria Soccor.

Maria, you recently hosted the Reel Women event at the Venice Film Festival, congratulations! Can you tell us about the mission behind the event and why it was important to bring it to Venice?

Maria: Women in front and behind the camera play so many key roles in cinema. "Reel Women Hosted by Maria Soccor", is an initiative I co-created with my friend and publicist, Jane Owen. This event series brings together leading industry professionals and notable talent to foster connections and expand our collective networks.

Campari is synonymous with Cinema. The Campari Lounge on is an upscale atmosphere at where creatives can share ideas and stories, enriching the film festival experience for everyone involved. For this reason, we were thrilled to have our first event with Campari at Mostra 82!

Who were some of the inspiring filmmakers, actors, and industry leaders in attendance, and what kind of energy or conversations came out of gathering such a diverse group of creatives?

Maria: The event was attended by several notable names in the film and entertainment industry, including actor Jared Harris and his wife Allegra. His film House of Dynamite premiered at the Venice Film Festival as a festival highlight, with significant buzz. Additional distinguished guests included film producer Debra Gainor, attending the festival as part of Producers Without Borders; actor Vincent de Paul; actress Agathe Levi; film producer Vicktoria Silmara Turmina of Mindgate Motion Pictures; Jojo Dye, founder of The Members Club and Producers Without Borders; Jane Owen, CEO of Jane Owen Public Relations — one of the world’s premiere independent film publicity companies; Ann Hafström of the Creative Lifestyle Agency; actress Tora Kim; multidimensional award winning director Kiira Benz; artist Chervine Dalaeli; celebrity/fashion hair designer Michele Valentino; celebrity/fashion makeup artist Howard Kong; and models Gillian Nation and Tia Goossen.

What were some of your most memorable experiences — both from hosting Reel Women and from being part of the festival as a whole?

Maria: Sharing some reflections on the recent events in Venice, The Campari Lounge was an absolute highlight, and it was an honor to host such a successful event with Jane Owen and Campari. It was a spectacular first collaboration to celebrate women in film globally.

Regarding film and finance, Amy Baker, CEO of Winston Baker, consistently curates the most informative panels on film finance and strategy. Her sessions are invaluable for understanding the latest in film productions, particularly co-productions.

Vanity Fair's strong presence at the festival added to the glamour at the A-list premieres. From the moment one leaves their hotel , then arriving at The Excelsior by water taxi, the experience is truly cinematic. I was personally honored to be a guest and walk the red carpet for two significant films: Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, and In The Hand of Dante, directed by Julian Schnabel, who also received The Cartier Glory To The Filmmaker 2025 Award.

Witnessing these premieres in The Palazzo del Cinema, a state of the art theater, makes me appreciate films even more.

You have a special connection to Venice as both a filmmaker and an actress. Can you share what Venice means to you personally and professionally?

Maria: The 82nd Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia was an essential experience for me, both personally and professionally. Everything was meticulously curated and there was an abundance of festivities. My experience was so positive, I can say that I look forward to attending in the future. That is how excellent it was.

My initial visit to Venice occurred in 2019, when I produced Kiira Benz’s project, “Loveseat,” an AR/VR theatrical experience on Lazzaretto Vecchio, an island adjacent to The Lido. Returning years later, I had the privilege of hosting an event at the beautiful Campari Lounge, participating in panels, and attending two premieres. As an evolving filmmaker and actress, I deeply appreciate the warmth and hospitality extended by everyone involved with the festival, making it feel like a new home.

For filmmakers, actors, or even cinephiles who dream of attending the Venice Film Festival one day, what advice would you give them to make the most of the experience?

Maria: I would encourage anyone to attend this film festival to see the films, make a plan to visit Venice Immersive, and Enjoy Venice. The biggest challenge for most people would be getting from the airport to their destination. If you are not in a hotel with an elevator, pack light. Getting around on vaporettos is easier than travelling on the NYC subway. Do not let the mystery of traveling on water deter you. During the festival, vaporettos run regularly and I never had any trouble ordering a private water taxi when needed.

Beyond Reel Women, what other events, screenings, or gatherings did you attend during the festival that left a strong impression on you?

Maria: A few events that were not affiliated with the festival were the following:

On August 30th, I attended “The Producers Without Borders” awards ceremony at the newly renovated Hotel NH Collection Venezia, in Murano. On the island of Dosoduro. I also saw a compelling installation, “Breathtaking” by Fabrizio Ferri, curated by his wife, Geraldina Polverelli Ferri at Sanlorenzo Arts. As a fan of Vivaldi’s operas, I was privileged to see Tito Manilo, a Vivaldi opera that was performed in Rome during the Carnival of 1720 at the Ancient Teatro della Pace, performed by The Vivaldi Academy on San Giorgio, with breathtaking views of San Marco. Staying at The Indigo Hotel on St. Elena was also a beautiful experience. There was one night I walked to the square with friends from my hotel, and there was no one in sight. Venice has to be experienced with people, but also in complete solitude.

Of course, we have to ask, what was it like walking the Venice red carpet this year? Can you describe that experience for us?

Maria: Every red carpet event presents a unique opportunity to express and highlight one’s individual style. The meticulous preparation, from selecting the attire to settling into place after the photographs, contributes significantly to the overall experience. Given that fashion holds a prominent place within the realm of cinema, I approach it with considerable dedication. I carefully consider the designers I choose to wear, and for this year’s Campari event, I was particularly delighted to showcase a complete YSL ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello.

After this year’s festival, what’s next for you?

Maria: I am back to work. I just finished a short art film titled, “Saltatio Unitatis, “a dance of unity”, featuring a phenomenal new talent, Alandis “AJ” Leonard. Secondly, I am wrapping up my documentary to go into post production for Freestyle Music: The Legacy. This October 15–19th in NYC, I am a juror for shorts films at The Upcoming 13th annual Chelsea Film Festival.