American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal will take part in the Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) as a competitor with her short film “Flesh Impact.”

Although Gyllenhaal recently served as President of the Jury at the Venice Film Festival, she will appear at TIFF through her work rather than in a jury role.

The film will have its first screening in Albania on the festival’s fourth day. However, organizers said Gyllenhaal will not be able to attend the event in person.

Meanwhile, “Flesh Impact” brings together actresses Dakota Johnson and Ellen Burstyn in two distinct portrayals of Marilyn Monroe.

Through this screening, TIFF offers Albanian audiences the opportunity to watch a work created by one of the most prominent figures in contemporary American cinema.

In recent years, Gyllenhaal has become one of the most discussed voices in the film industry. During the opening days of the Venice Film Festival, she spoke openly about the systemic barriers faced by women directors and highlighted how stories told by women are still sometimes viewed as less important or less artistic within the industry.

Gyllenhaal is one of Hollywood’s best-known talents. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for “Crazy Heart” and another nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Lost Daughter.”

As a result, the inclusion of a film by Maggie Gyllenhaal further strengthens the international profile of the Tirana International Film Festival and adds another high-profile name to this year’s program.

/a.c/