At the Venice Film Festival, a unique tradition known as "Ridateci i soldi" — which translates to "Give us our money back" — gives attendees a chance to voice their criticisms of films and the festival experience itself. This tradition involves writing comments on a chipboard wall near the Palazzo del Cinema, a venue central to the festival. The festival’s director, Alberto Barbera, has personally awarded a prize to the most scathing critique for the past 30 years. This year, attendees expressed frustration over rising costs for entry badges, water taxis, and local accommodations, as well as issues with long queues, uncomfortable seating, and poor lighting in screening rooms. Many of the notes focused on the films themselves, including criticism of the Russian biopic DAU, which has been linked to reports of behind-the-scenes coercion and humiliation of cast and crew. Other comments targeted films such as The Echo Chamber by Andrea Pallaoro, Joie de Vivre by Luca Guadagnino, and The Girl with the Leica, a biopic about photographer Gerda Taro. Italian films in the lineup received particular scrutiny. John Bleasdale, a British critic and novelist based in Italy, observed that Italian audiences often engage more directly with films, expressing their opinions through boos, ironic laughter, and applause. He noted that films like Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin have been booed at the festival, highlighting the intensity of audience reactions. The "Ridateci i soldi" wall was established in the late 1990s by Gianni Ippoliti, a former football referee and TV presenter, who felt that traditional reviews often overly praised films. He pointed out that it's unrealistic to expect all 150 films shown at the festival to be masterpieces. This year’s winner of the Coppa Codacons — a wooden sculpture awarded to the most scathing comment — was Cristian Poletti, whose review suggested that The Echo Chamber might have been better titled "The Echo Bathroom," referencing scenes where characters are seen bathing. Despite the criticisms, Poletti remains a passionate fan of film festivals. The tradition of public criticism at the Venice Film Festival has become a notable feature, reflecting the diverse opinions of attendees. While some see it as a way to hold filmmakers and the festival accountable, others view it as a lively and entertaining aspect of the experience. In recent years, there have been signs that Hollywood studios might be shifting away from the festival circuit. This shift may be influenced by the rise of social media, where negative reactions can spread quickly, and by the potential for harsh critiques at festivals like Venice or Cannes to shape public perception of a film. As the festival continues to evolve, the "Ridateci i soldi" wall remains a symbol of audience voice and the enduring power of film to provoke strong reactions.