Venice Film Festival 2025: Highlights and Award Winners

Venice Film Festival Concludes with Major Awards

The 82nd Venice Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday, celebrating Jim Jarmusch's film, Father Mother Sister Brother, which won the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film.

Benny Safdie receives the Silver Lion for Best Director for “The Smashing Machine"

Benny Safdie earned the Silver Lion for Best Director for his work on The Smashing Machine, while the Grand Jury Prize was awarded to The Voice of Hind Rajab, a poignant drama set in Gaza.

Toni Servillo receives the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for “La Grazia"

Kaouther Ben Hania's film, which tells the tragic story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl, received the second-place Grand Jury Prize. In her acceptance speech, Ben Hania dedicated the award to the Palestinian Red Crescent and the first responders in Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice.

Safdie described his experience at the festival as a dream realized.

Italian actor Toni Servillo was recognized with the best actor award for his role in La Grazia.

Here is the complete list of winners:

COMPETITION

Golden Lion for Best Film: Father Mother Sister Brother, Jim Jarmusch

Grand Jury Prize: The Voice of Hind Rajab, Kaouther Ben Hania

Silver Lion for Best Director: Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine

Special Jury Prize: Below the Clouds, Gianfranco Rosi

Best Screenplay: Valerie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand, A pied d’œuvre (‘At Work’)

Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Xin Zhilei, ‘The Sun Rises on Us All’

Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Toni Servillo, ‘La Grazia’

Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Luna Welder, ‘Silent Friend’

Best Film: ‘En el camino’ (‘On the Road’), David Pablos

Best Director: Anuparna Roy, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’

Special Jury Prize: ‘Hara Watan’ (‘Lost Land’), Akio Fujimoto

Best Actress: Benedetta Porcaroli, ‘Il Rapimento di Arabella’ (‘The Kidnapping of Arabella’)

Best Actor: Giacomo Covi, ‘Un Anno di Scuola’ (‘A Year of School’)

VENICE CLASSICS

Best Documentary on Cinema: Mata Hari, Joe Beshenkovsky and James A. Smith.