Golden Lion Awarded to Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” at 81st Venice Film Festival
The 81st Venice International Film Festival concluded on September 7, 2024, with the announcement of its official awards. Chaired by acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert, the festival’s prestigious Venezia 81 Jury reviewed 21 films in competition and recognized excellence in global cinema.
The Golden Lion, the festival’s highest honor, was awarded to Pedro Almodóvar for his Spanish drama "The Room Next Door." Known for his distinctive style and emotionally charged narratives, Almodóvar continues to solidify his place in international cinema with this latest accolade. In a statement, Huppert described the film as “a deeply resonant piece of filmmaking that reflects the human condition.”
Maura Delpero’s "Vermiglio" (Italy, France, Belgium) took home the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize, cementing Delpero's rising status as a filmmaker to watch. Meanwhile, Brady Corbet was recognized with the Silver Lion for Best Director for his work on "The Brutalist" (United Kingdom), a film praised for its sharp direction and thematic boldness.
Nicole Kidman received the prestigious Coppa Volpi for Best Actress for her performance in "Babygirl" (United States), directed by Halina Reijn. Kidman’s portrayal of a woman grappling with complex personal challenges drew wide acclaim throughout the festival. Vincent Lindon was honored with the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor for his role in "Jouer avec le Feu" (France) by Delphine and Muriel Coulin, a performance that captured intense human emotion.
The Best Screenplay Award went to Brazilian writers Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for "Ainda Estou Aqui" (Brazil, France), directed by Walter Salles. Their screenplay was lauded for its intricate storytelling and compelling dialogue. The Special Jury Prize was awarded to "April" by Dea Kulumbegashvili (France, Italy, Georgia), further highlighting the international breadth of talent represented at Venice this year.
Paul Kircher won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for his role in "Leurs Enfants Après Eux" (France), directed by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma. Kircher’s performance was noted for its depth and emotional maturity.
The Orizzonti section, chaired by Debra Granik, also recognized a wide range of talent. The Orizzonti Award for Best Film went to "Anul Nou Care N-A Fost" ("The New Year That Never Came") by Bogdan Mureșanu (Romania, Serbia), while Sarah Friedland earned the Best Director honor for "Familiar Touch" (United States). Friedland’s film also claimed the coveted Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film, underscoring her breakout status as a filmmaker.
The acting awards in the Orizzonti section went to Kathleen Chalfant for Best Actress ("Familiar Touch") and Francesco Gheghi for Best Actor in "Familia" (Italy). The Best Screenplay award was presented to Scandar Copti for his work on "Happy Holidays" (Palestine, Germany, France, Italy, Qatar).
In the Venice Classics category, "Chain Reactions" by Alexandre O. Philippe (United States) won Best Documentary on Cinema, and the Best Restored Film was awarded to "Ecce Bombo" by Nanni Moretti (Italy, 1978).
In the Venice Immersive section, the Grand Prize went to "Ito Meikyū" by Boris Labbé (France, Luxemburg), while "Oto’s Planet" (Luxemburg, Canada, France) by Gwenael François took home the Special Jury Prize. The Achievement Prize was awarded to "Impulse: Playing with Reality" (United Kingdom, France) by Barry Gene Murphy and May Abdalla.
The full list of awards is as follows:
Venezia 81
- Golden Lion: "The Room Next Door" / Pedro Almodóvar / Spain
- Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize: "Vermiglio" / Maura Delpero / Italy, France, Belgium
- Silver Lion – Best Director: Brady Corbet / "The Brutalist" / United Kingdom
- Coppa Volpi for Best Actress: Nicole Kidman / "Babygirl" / United States
- Coppa Volpi for Best Actor: Vincent Lindon / "Jouer avec le Feu" / France
- Award for Best Screenplay: Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega / "Ainda Estou Aqui" / Brazil, France
- Special Jury Prize: "April" / Dea Kulumbegashvili / France, Italy, Georgia
- Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Paul Kircher / "Leurs Enfants Après Eux" / France
Orizzonti
- Best Film: "Anul Nou Care N-A Fost" ("The New Year That Never Came") / Bogdan Mureșanu / Romania, Serbia
- Best Director: Sarah Friedland / "Familiar Touch" / United States
- Special Jury Prize: "Hemme’nin Öldüğü Günlerden Biri" ("One of Those Days When Hemme Dies") / Murat Fıratoğlu / Turkey
- Best Actress: Kathleen Chalfant / "Familiar Touch" / United States
- Best Actor: Francesco Gheghi / "Familia" / Italy
- Best Screenplay: Scandar Copti / "Happy Holidays" / Palestine, Germany, France, Italy, Qatar
- Best Short Film: "Who Loves the Sun" / Arshia Shakiba / Canada
- Venice Short Film Nomination for the European Film Awards 2024: "René va alla Guerra" / Luca Ferri, Morgan Menegazzo, Mariachiara Pernisa / Italy
Orizzonti Extra
- Armani Beauty Audience Award: "Shahed" ("The Witness") / Nader Saeivar / Germany, Austria
Venice Award for a Debut Film
- Lion of the Future "Luigi De Laurentiis" Award: "Familiar Touch" / Sarah Friedland / United States
Venice Classics
- Best Documentary on Cinema: "Chain Reactions" / Alexandre O. Philippe / United States
- Best Restored Film: "Ecce Bombo" / Nanni Moretti / Italy, 1978
Venice Immersive
- Grand Prize: "Ito Meikyū" / Boris Labbé / France, Luxemburg
- Special Jury Prize: "Oto’s Planet" / Gwenael François / Luxemburg, Canada, France
- Achievement Prize: "Impulse: Playing with Reality" / Barry Gene Murphy, May Abdalla / United Kingdom, France