Venice Film Festival has kicked off with first prizes announced in the Orizzonti sidebar, Immersive Competition and Venice Classics. In the Orizzonti section, Best Film went to Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni's Diana in th...
By Nexvoro Tech Wire
PUBLISHED SAT, SEP 12, 2026 6:21 PM UTC • 6 MIN READ
Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting
Venice Film Festival has kicked off with first prizes announced in the Orizzonti sidebar, Immersive Competition and Venice Classics.
In the Orizzonti section, Best Film went to Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni's Diana in the Loop about a young woman who decides to avenge the rape of her mother, which took place three years before she was born.
She dedicated the prize to all the women of Iran declaring in Farsi that the country was going through one of the most painful and difficult times of its history. "I want to mention the people of my homeland, Iran, who are living under the greatest pressure ever. I would like to dedicate this award to the women of my country, who have paid the highest price for even the smallest form of freedom. Today more than ever, they continue to carry forward their dreams, their courage, and their hope," she said.
In-Depth Developments & Factual Context
Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio won Best Actor for his performance in The House of the Monkey as a the father devoted of a disabled son, who becomes increasingly close to his teenage nephew seeing in him the son he always wished for. The film also won Best Screenplay for director Tommaso Landucci and cowriter Damiano Femfert.
Scarmarcio dedicated his prize to all the fathers in the world as well as UK producer Jeremy Thomas whose death at the age of 77 was announced earlier in the day.
The Lion of the Future - Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film, awarded by a jury overseen by, went to Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu's
Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis
Tonight's ceremony, hosted by Italian actors Greta Scarano and Nicolas Maupas, ends a politically charged 83rd edition with a record-breaking ovation for bombshell Israeli documentary Naza and a warm response to Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem in Bunker among the many highlights.
Other memorable moments included Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion Awards for George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn.
Maggie Gyllenhaal and her jury will mete out eight prizes including the Golden Lion for best film. The winners of the Orizzonti sidebar, Venice Classics and Immersive competition, the Lion of the Future - Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film, will also be announced this evening.
Forward Outlook & Market Perspective
Special Jury Prize Best Screenplay Best Actor Best Actress Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress Lion of the Future - Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film House of the Wind Dir. Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu
Armani Beauty Audience Award I Matter Dir. Alina Şerban HORIZONS Best Film Diane in the Loop Dirs. Ann Sirot, Raphaël Balboni Best Director Jacqueline Lentzou ( A day in the life of Jo: Chapter Phaedra ) Special Jury Prize House of the Wind Dir. Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu Best Actor Riccardo Scamarcio ( The Children of the Monkey ) Best Actress Laleh Marzban ( Falling House ) Best Screenplay The Children of the Monkey Cowriters. Tommaso Landucci, Damiano Femfert Best Short Film Quelques instants de bonheur Dir. Shaden Safieddine Tazi
VENICE CLASSICS Best Restored Film Long Night In '43 Dir. Florestano Vancini VENICE IMMERSIVE
Grand Prize The Pigeon Ring Dirs: Yuqi Zhang, Shixin Tao
Special Jury Prize Out of the Ashes Dirs: Rory Mitchell and Nonny de la Peña
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Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via Deadline Hollywood.
Reporting synthesized under Nexvoro.tech Editorial Standards • Referenced via Deadline Hollywood
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