Born in Biella (Italy), he studied in Torino and passes a master’s degree in film history and criticism. Alberto Barbera began his career in 1972 at the Italian Association of Art Film Theaters. From 1980 to 1983 he was chief film critic of the daily "La Gazzetta del Popolo". He has also written for various newspapers (Città, La Stampa) and film magazines (Essai, Altro Cinema, Bianco e Nero, Cineforum). He hosted the weekly television show "Cinema Scoop" produced by RAI 3, and was the lead film critic in the radio show "Hollywood Party". In 1982, Barbera joined the Torino Film Festival and became its Director (1989 to 1998). Barbera has been the Director of the Venice Film Festival from 1999 to 2001. Since 2004, he is the Director of the National Museum of Cinema in Torino.