The 81st Venice Film Festival drew to a close on Saturday with a glittering award ceremony that celebrated the year's cinematic achievements. The prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film was awarded to The Room Next Door, marking Pedro Almodóvar’s debut in English-language cinema. The film, which features Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, secured its place as the festival's top honour.
The Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize went to Vermiglio, a film by Maura Delpero that showcases a cross-cultural collaboration between Italy, France, and Belgium. Delpero’s work impressed the jury with its nuanced storytelling and artistic merit.
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Check out the full winners list
- Golden Lion for Best Film: The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodóvar
- Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: Vermiglio by Maura Delpero
- Silver Lion for Best Director: Brady Corbet for The Brutalist
- Special Jury Prize: April by Dea Kulumbegashvili
- Best Screenplay: I’m Still Here by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Nicole Kidman for Babygirl
- Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Vincent Lindon for The Quiet Son
- Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Paul Kircher for And Their Children After Them
Horizons Section
- Best Film: The New Year That Never Came by Bogdan Muresanu
- Best Director: Sarah Friedland for Familiar Touch
- Special Jury Prize: One of Those Days When Hemme Dies by Murat Firatoglu
- Best Actress: Kathleen Chalfant for Familiar Touch
- Best Actor: Francesco Ghegi for Family
- Best Screenplay: Happy Holidays by Scandar Copti
- Lion of the Future – Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film: Familiar Touch by Sarah Friedland
- Best Short Film: Who Loves The Sun by Arshia Shakiba
Horizons Extra
- Audience Award: The Witness (Shahed)
Venice Classics Winners
- Best Restored Film: Ecce Bombo by Nanni Moretti
- Best Documentary on Cinema: Chain Reactions
Venice Immersive Winners
- Venice Immersive Achievement Award: Impulse: Playing With Reality
- Venice Immersive Special Jury Prize: Oto’s Planet
- Venice Immersive Grand Prize: Ito Meikyū
The 81st Venice Film Festival celebrated a diverse array of talent and storytelling.