Introduction to the 2025 Venice Film Festival
The 2025 Venice Film Festival has come to a close, with Jim Jarmusch’s "Father mother sister brother" taking home the prestigious Golden Lion award for best film. The ceremony, which took place over the course of one night, was heavily focused on politics, with many of the winners and presenters using their platform to address pressing issues.
Winners of the 2025 Venice Film Festival
The winners of the festival included Benny Safdie, who won the award for best director for his biopic "The Smashing machine", and Kaouther Ben Hania, who took home the Grand Jury Prize for her film "The voice of the Hind Rajab". The film tells the real story of a six-year-old girl who was killed by Israeli armed forces and received a standing ovation at the beginning of the week.
Awards and Prizes
The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Gianfranco Rosi’s documentary "Under the clouds", while the Volpi Cup for best actress went to Xin Zhoei for her performance in "The sun rises with all of us". Toni Servillo won the Volpi Cup for best actor for his role in Paolo Sorrentino’s "grace". The Golden Osella for best script was awarded to Valerie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand for their film "At work".
Horizon and Debut Film Awards
In the Horizons category, the best film award went to David Pablos’s Mexican street film "On the street", while Anuparna Roy took home the best director prize for her film "Songs forgotten trees". The Luigi de Laurentis Award for debut film was awarded to Nastia Korkia’s "Short summer".
Venice Classics and Immersive Awards
The Best documentary on cinema award in the Venice Classics category went to "The eyes of the day" directed by Joe Beshenkovsky and James A. Smith, while the Best restored film award was given to "Bashu, the little stranger" directed by Bahram Beyzaie. In the Venice Immersive category, the main prize was awarded to "The clouds are two thousand meters high" created by Singing.
Politics and Social Issues
Many of the winners used their acceptance speeches to address social and political issues, including the conflict in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. Kaouther Ben Hania dedicated her award to "the Palestinian Red Heading Moon and all those who risk saving everything in Gaza", while Nastia Korkia asked the audience to keep their "eyes openly open to war in Ukraine, which was ‘how radiation, society destroys society from the inside’". Anuparna Roy also referred to the Gaza conflict in her speech, stating that "every child deserves peace, freedom and liberation and Palestine is no exception".
Closing the Festival
The festival was closed with the world premiere of Cedric Jimenez’s film "Chien 51" outside of the competition. The Golden Lion for the best film of last year was awarded to Pedro Almodovar’s "The room next door". The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Gorgio Armani with a standing ovation.
