The 2024 Venice Film Festival was a success for Latin American and Spanish cinema, with Pedro Almodóvar standing out as the star of the event. He claimed the prestigious Golden Lion for his film "The Room Next Door," marking his first-ever English-language feature. This victory is a historic milestone for Spanish cinema at one of the world's most important film festivals.
This is the first time Almodóvar has won the Golden Lion, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in global cinema.
The festival jury, presided over by Isabelle Huppert and made up of filmmakers like James Gray, Andrew Haigh, Agnieszka Holland, and others, deliberated for hours on Saturday before deciding the winners.
Almodóvar's "The Room Next Door," a drama addressing the topic of dignified death and starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, received a standing ovation lasting 17 minutes during its initial screening, confirming its emotional impact on the audience.
@deadline Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton share a long hug during the 18-minute ovation for #TheRoomNextDoor at the VeniceFilmFestival. The film is Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s first feature in English #Venezia81
♬ Nasty - Tinashe
Latin American Cinema at Venice
In addition to Almodóvar's success in Venice, Latin American cinema shone at the festival, with Brazilian screenwriters Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega winning the Best Screenplay award for their work on "Ainda estou aqui" ("I'm Still Here"). The film offers a raw reflection on the dark years of Brazil's military dictatorship.
Winners Venice Film Festival 2024
Golden Lion for Best Film: "The Room Next Door," Pedro Almodóvar
Grand Jury Prize: "Vermiglio," Maura Delpero
Silver Lion for Best Director: Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"
Special Jury Prize: "April," Dea Kulumbegashvili
Best Screenplay: Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega, "I'm Still Here"
Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Nicole Kidman, "Babygirl"
Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Vincent Lindon, "The Quiet Son"
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Paul Kircher, "And their Children After Them"
HORIZONS
Best Film: "The New Year That Never Came," Bogdan Mureşanu
Best Director: Sarah Friedland, "Familiar Touch"
Special Jury Prize: "One of Those Days When Hemme Dies," Murat Firatoglu
Best Actress: Kathleen Chalfant, "Familiar Touch"
Best Actor: Francesco Gheghi, "Familia"
Best Screenplay: Scandar Copti, "Happy Holidays"
Best Short Film: "Who Loves the Sun," Arshia Shakiba
LION OF THE FUTURE
Luigi de Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Feature: "Familiar Touch," Sarah Friedland
HORIZONS EXTRA
Audience Award: "The Witness," Nader Saeivar
VENICE CLASSICS
Best Documentary on Cinema: "Chain Reactions," Alexandre O. Philippe
Best Restored Film: "Ecce Bombo," Nanni Moretti
VENICE IMMERSIVE
Grand Jury Prize: "Ito Meikyu," Boris Labbé
Special Jury Prize: "Oto's Planet," Gwenael François
Achievement Prize: "Impulse: Playing With Reality," Barry Gene Murphy, May Abdalla
GIORNATE DEGLI AUTORI (announced earlier)
GdA Director's Award: "Manas," Marianna Brennand
Audience Award: "Taxi Monamour," Ciro De Caro
Europa Cinemas Label Award: "Alpha," Jan-Willem van Ewijk
CRITICS' WEEK (announced earlier)
Grand Prize: "Don't Cry, Butterfly," Dương Diệu Linh
Special Mention: "No Sleep Till," Alexandra Simpson
Audience Award: "Paul & Paulette Take a Bath" Jethro Massey
Verona Film Club Award for Most Innovative Film: "Don't Cry, Butterfly," Dương Diệu Linh
Mario Serandrei – Hotel Saturnia Award for Best Technical Contribution: "Homegrown," Michael Premo
Best Short Film: "Things That My Best Friend Lost," Marta Innocenti
Best Director (Short Film): "Nero Argento," Francesco Manzato
Best Technical Contribution (Short Film): "At Least I Will Be 8 294 400 Pixel," Marco Talarico
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