The 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival came to a close with memorable wins and emotional moments. Jim Jarmusch won the top award, while Arab cinema and new international voices shined brightly.

Jarmusch Takes Golden Lion for Emotional Family Drama

American indie legend Jim Jarmusch took home the Golden Lion for ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’, a tender family drama about siblings reconnecting with their estranged parents. Accepting the award, Jarmusch reflected:

“We don’t make films to compete, but this honor means a lot.”

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Ben Hania Shines as Jury Favorite

One of the festival’s most powerful stories came from Kaouther Ben Hania. Her film The Voice of Hind Rajab—inspired by a true story and backed by Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Alfonso Cuarón—earned a 21-minute standing ovation at its premiere. It ultimately clinched the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, cementing Ben Hania’s place as one of the most important Arab filmmakers of our time.

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Spotlight on Safdie, Servillo and Xin Zhilei

Benny Safdie scored Best Director for The Smashing Machine, his solo directorial debut—an MMA biopic featuring Dwayne Johnson in a surprisingly raw dramatic role.

Italian screen icon Toni Servillo charmed audiences as Italy’s president in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, winning Best Actor.

Chinese star Xin Zhilei made history as Best Actress for The Sun Rises on Us All, with her award handed to her by arthouse legend Zhao Tao.

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Festival Highlights

Main Competition

Golden Lion (Best Film): Father Mother Sister Brother – Jim Jarmusch (USA)

Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize): The Voice of Hind Rajab – Kaouther Ben Hania (France/Tunisia)

Silver Lion (Best Director): Benny Safdie – The Smashing Machine (USA)

Special Jury Prize: Below the Clouds – Gianfranco Rossi (Italy)

Best Actor: Toni Servillo – La Grazia (Italy)

Best Actress: Xin Zhilei – The Sun Rises on Us All (China)

Best Screenplay: Valérie Donzelli & Gilles Marchand – At Work (France)

Best Young Actress: Luna Wedler – Silent Friend (Germany/France/Hungary)

Audience Award: Calle Málaga – Maryam Touzani (Morocco)

Debut Film (Lion of the Future): Short Summer – Nastia Korkia (Russia)

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Orizzonti (Horizons Section)

Best Film: En El Camino – David Pablos (Mexico)

Best Director: Anuparna Roy – Songs of the Forgotten Trees (India)

Best Screenplay: Ana Cristina Barragán – The Ivy (Ecuador/Mexico/France/Spain)

Best Actor: Giacomo Covi – A Year of School (Italy/France)

Best Actress: Benedetta Porcaroli – The Kidnapping of Arabella (Italy)

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Venice Classics & Immersive

Best Restored Film: Bashu The Little Stranger – Bahram Beyzaie (Iran)

Best Doc on Cinema: Mata Hari – Joe Beshenkovsky & James A. Smith (USA)

Photo Credit: Venice Film Festival's official page

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