‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve to headline Puck awards season event (Exclusive)

Denis Villeneuve, the director of “Dune: Part Two,” has been announced as the keynote speaker of “Stories of the Season,” the exclusive awards season event held by Puck, the new media company, Gold Derby has learned exclusively.

Villeneuve was selected to headline the invite-only event held in Los Angeles on November 15 in part due to his rich history of creative excellence and business acumen. The conversation, hosted by Puck’s Matt Belloni, will dive into the filmmaker’s unique process and discuss his views on the current state of the industry. The “Stories of the Season” chat will also be recorded and published later as an episode of Belloni’s podcast, “The Town.”

The director, who has been nominated for three Academy Awards, is among the frontrunners in this year’s race for Best Director; the film, which opened in March 2024 to strong reviews (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) is also predicted by Gold Derby experts and editors to be among the Best Picture nominees, along with multiple crafts. The original “Dune” earned 10 Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning six, including cinematography, editing, score, visual effects, production design, and sound.

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve made with ‘Dune: Part Two,” Villeneuve tells Gold Derby. “We get to share so many stories through the journey of filmmaking. I look forward to this opportunity with Puck to gather, celebrate, and discuss the art of storytelling.”

Other panels for the day, which have yet to be announced, will be curated and hosted by other members of the Puck team, and cover all facets of the entertainment and fashion industry.