The 78th annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 1 to 11 September 2021. South Korean director Bong Joon-ho was appointed as the President of the Jury, marking the first time a South Korean director has been picked as the festival's top juror.

Serena Rossi Serena Rossi (born 31 August 1985) is an Italian actress, singer and television personality. She has acted in films and on stage, but is best known for her performance in the long-running Rai 3 soap opera ''Un Posto al Sole''. Biography Born ...

hosted the opening and closing nights. The Golden Lion was awarded to '' Happening'' directed by

Audrey Diwan Audrey Diwan (born 1980) is a French film director of Lebanese origin. Prior to becoming a film director she worked as a journalist and a screenwriter. She is a member of Collectif 50/50, a French NGO promoting equality between men and women i ...

Jury

Main Competition (Venezia 78) * Bong Joon-ho, South Korean director and screenwriter (Jury President) *

Saverio Costanzo Saverio Costanzo (born 28 September 1975) is an Italian film and television director. Biography Early life Costanzo was born in Rome, the son of journalist and TV presenter Maurizio Costanzo and writer Flaminia Morandi, and the brother of wri ...

, Italian director and screenwriter *

Virginie Efira Virginie Efira (born 5 May 1977) is a Belgian actress and television presenter. Efira got her first leading role in the romantic comedy ''It Boy'' (2013). She subsequently received critical praise for her performance in the comedy drama '' In Be ...

, Belgian actress *

Cynthia Erivo Cynthia Erivo (; born 8 January 1987) is an English actress, singer, and songwriter. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Awa ...

, British actress and singer *

Sarah Gadon Sarah Lynn Gadon (born April 4, 1987) is a Canadian actress. She began her acting career guest-starring in a number of television series, such as '' Are You Afraid of the Dark?'' (1999), '' Mutant X'' (2002), and ''Dark Oracle'' (2004). She also ...

, Canadian actress *

Alexander Nanau Alexander Nanau (born 18 May 1979) is an Oscar-nominated German/Romanian film director, film producer and screenwriter. Biography Alexander Nanau was born on 18 May 1979, in Bucharest, Romania. He has lived in Germany since 1990. Nanau stud ...

, Romanian-German documentary director * Chloé Zhao, Chinese director and screenwriter Horizons *

Jasmila Žbanić Jasmila Žbanić (; born 19 December 1974) is a Bosnian film director, screenwriter and producer, best known for having written and directed '' Quo Vadis, Aida?'' (2020), which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Lan ...

, Bosnian director (Jury President) *

Mona Fastvold Mona Fastvold (born 7 March 1981) is a Norwegian filmmaker and actress based in Brooklyn, New York. Her feature directorial debut was ''The Sleepwalker'' (2014) at Sundance. She has directed music videos for several musicians, most notably ex-hu ...

, Norwegian director *

Shahram Mokri Shahram Mokri ( fa, شهرام مکری)(born 1978) is an Iranian filmmaker. He graduated from Soore University. Mokri started his filmmaking training in the Young Cinema Association and entered the professional world of cinema with his short fil ...

, Iranian director *

Josh Siegel Joshua or Josh Siegel may refer to: * Joshua E. Siegel (born 1988), American mechanical engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur * Joshua A. Siegel (born 1966), American orthopaedic surgeon * Joshua Siegel (politician) (born 1993), American poli ...

, director of the cinema department of MoMA *

Nadia Terranova Nadia Terranova (born 1 January 1978) is an Italian author. Life and career Born in Messina, Terranova graduated in philosophy at the University of Messina, and then got a doctorate in modern history at the University of Catania. In 2003 she mov ...

, Italian novelist Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film *

Uberto Pasolini Uberto Pasolini Dall'Onda (born 1 May 1957 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian film producer, director, and former investment banker known for producing the 1997 film ''The Full Monty'' and directing and producing the 2008 film '' Machan'' and the 201 ...

, Italian director and producer (Jury President) *

Martin Schweighofer Martin may refer to: Places * Martin City (disambiguation) * Martin County (disambiguation) * Martin Township (disambiguation) Antarctica * Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land * Port Martin, Adelie Land * Point Martin, South Orkney Islands Austra ...

, Austrian film critic *

Amalia Ulman Amalia Ulman (born 1989) is an Argentinian artist and film director based in New York City whose practice includes performance, installation, video and net-art works. Her work deals with issues of class, gender, sexuality, and middlebrow aes ...

, Argentine visual artist

Official selection

In Competition

The following films were selected for the main international competition: :Highlighted title indicates Golden Lion winner.

Out of Competition

The following films were selected to be screened out of competition:

Horizons

The following films were selected for the Horizons ( it, Orizzonti) section:

Awards

Official selection

The following official awards were presented at the 78th Edition: In Competition * Golden Lion: '' Happening'' by

Grand Jury Prize A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors. Films may be of recent date and, depending upo ...

: ''

The Hand of God "The hand of God" ( es, La mano de Dios) was a handling goal scored by Argentine footballer Diego Maradona during the Argentina v England quarter finals match of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The goal was illegal under association football rules be ...

'' by

Paolo Sorrentino Paolo Sorrentino (; born 31 May 1970) is an Italian film director, screenwriter, and writer. His 2013 film ''The Great Beauty'' won the Academy Awards, Academy Award, the Golden Globe Awards, Golden Globe, and the British Academy of Film and Te ...

Silver Lion The Silver Lion ( it, Leone d'argento, also known as Silver Lion for Best Direction) is an annual award presented for best directing achievements in a feature film at official competition section of the Venice Film Festival since 1998. The pri ...

: '' The Power of the Dog'' by

Jane Campion Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion (born 30 April 1954) is a New Zealand filmmaker. She is best known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed films ''The Piano'' (1993) and '' The Power of the Dog'' (2021), for which she has received a tot ...

Volpi Cup for Best Actress The Volpi Cup for Best Actress is an award presented by the Venice Film Festival. It is given by the festival jury in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance from the films in the competition slate. It is named in honor o ...

Penélope Cruz Penélope Cruz Sánchez (; ; born 28 April 1974) is a Spanish actress. Known for her roles in films of several genres, particularly those in the Spanish language, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and a British ...

for ''

Parallel Mothers ''Parallel Mothers'' ( es, Madres paralelas, links=no) is a 2021 Spanish drama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit and features Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Israel Elejalde, Julieta Serrano ...

'' *

Volpi Cup for Best Actor The Volpi Cup for Best Actor ( it, Coppa Volpi per la migliore interpretazione maschile) is the principal award given to actors at the Venice Film Festival and is named in honor of Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, the founder of the Venice Film ...

John Arcilla Romeo Gonzales Arcilla (born June 24 1966), professionally known as John Arcilla, is a Filipino actor and environmentalist. He won Best Actor at the 78th Venice International Film Festival for his performance in '' On the Job: The Missing 8 ...

for '' On the Job: The Missing 8'' * Golden Osella for Best Screenplay: ''

The Lost Daughter ''The Lost Daughter'' is a 2021 psychological drama film adapted for the screen and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (in her feature directorial debut) based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. The film stars Olivia Colman, Dakot ...

'' by Maggie Gyllenhaal * Special Jury Prize: ''

Il buco ''Il buco'' ( en, link=no, "The Hole") is a 2021 Italian drama film directed by Michelangelo Frammartino. It was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, and won the Special Jury Prize. The film ...

'' by

Michelangelo Frammartino Michelangelo Frammartino (born 1968) is an Italian filmmaker. Biography Michelangelo Frammartino was born in Milan to Calabrian parents in 1968. In 1991 he enrolled in the Architecture Faculty of the Politecnico di Milano. Between 1994 and 1 ...

* Marcello Mastroianni Award:

Filippo Scotti Filippo Scotti (born 22 December 1999) is an Italian actor. He is known for his role as Fabietto Schisa in the 2021 film ''The Hand of God'', for which he won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. He beg ...

for ''

'' Horizons (Orizzonti) *Best Film: ''Pilgrims'' by Laurynas Bareisa *Best Director: ''Full Time'' by Eric Gravel *Special Jury Prize: '' El Gran Movimiento'' by Kiro Russo *Best Actress:

Laure Calamy Laure Calamy (born March 22, 1975) is a César Award-winning French film, TV and theatre actress best known for her roles in ''Call My Agent!'' and '' My Donkey, My Lover & I''. Early life Born in 1975, Calamy is the daughter of a psychologist ...

for ''Full Time'' *Best Actor: Piseth Chhun for '' White Building'' *Best Screenplay: ''

107 Mothers ''107 Mothers'' is a Russian-Language Slovak drama film directed by Péter Kerekes and released in 2021. Its world premiere took place on 1 September 2021 at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, where it was screened in Horizons compet ...

'' by Peter Kerekes *Best Short Film: ''The Bones'' by Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña *Armani Beauty Audience Award: ''The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic'' by Teemu Nikki Lion of the Future *Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film: ''Imaculat'' by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan

Autonomous sections

The following collateral awards were conferred to films of the autonomous sections: Venice International Critics' Week *Grand Prize: '' Zalava'' by Arsalan Amiri *Mario Serandrei: ''They Carry Death'' by Samuel M. Delgado and Helena Girón *Best Short Film: ''Inchei'' by Federico Demattè *Best Director: ''Inchei'' by Federico Demattè *Best Technical Contribution: ''L'Incanto'' by Chiara Caterina

Other collateral awards

The following collateral awards were conferred to films of the official selection: * Arca CinemaGiovani Award **Best Italian Film: ''

'' by

**Venezia 78 Best Film: '' Happening'' by

*Authors under 40 Award **Best Director: ''Vera Dreams of the Sea'' by Kaltrina Krasniqi **Best Screenplay: ''Imaculat'' by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan *BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas People's Choice Award: '' Deserto Particular'' by Aly Muritiba *Brian Award: '' Happening'' by

*Casa Wabi – Mantarraya Award: ''Imaculat'' by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan *CICT - UNESCO "Enrico Fulchignoni" Award: ''Amira'' by

Mohamed Diab Mohamed Diab ('' ar, محمد دياب'', , born 1978) is an Egyptians, Egyptian screenwriter and director whose work often centers on pressing issues concerning Egyptian society. He is known for his directorial debut film 678 (film), ''Cairo 678 ...

*Edipo Re Award: **'' Al Garib'' by Amer Fakher Eldin **''Vera Dreams of the Sea'' by Kaltrina Krasniqi *Europa Cinemas Label Award: ''Californie'' by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman *Fanheart3 Award **Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film: '' Freaks Out'' by Gabriele Mainetti **Nave d’Argento for Best OTP: '' Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon'' by

Ana Lily Amirpour Ana Lily Amirpour ( fa, آنا لیلی امیرپور) is a British-born American film director, screenwriter, producer and actress. She is best known for her feature film debut '' A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night'', self-described as "the firs ...

**VR Fan Experience: ''Knot: A Trilogy'' by Glen Neath and David Rosenberg **Special Mention: ''

Old Henry ''Old Henry'' is a 2021 American Western film written and directed by Potsy Ponciroli. It stars Tim Blake Nelson as the titular character, a farmer who must protect his son from outlaws, with Scott Haze, Gavin Lewis, Trace Adkins, and Stephen ...

'' by Potsy Ponciroli *FEDIC Award: ''

'' by

::Special mention: ''La Ragazza Ha Volato'' by Wilma Labate * FIPRESCI Awards: **Best Film (main competition): '' Happening'' by

**Best Film (other sections): '' Zalava'' by Arsalan Amiri *Fondazione Mimmo Rotella Award: Mario Martone and

Toni Servillo Marco Antonio Servillo (), known as Toni Servillo, is an Italian actor and theatrical director. He has won the European Film Award for Best Actor twice, in 2008 for both '' Gomorrah'' and ''Il Divo'' and in 2013 for ''The Great Beauty'', as wel ...

for '' The King of Laughter'' *Francesco Pasinetti Award **Best Film: ''

'' by

**Best Actor: ***Leonardo Di Costanzo for ''Ariaferma'' ***

for ''

'' and '' The King of Laughter'' **Best Actress: Teresa Saponangelo for ''

'' *GdA Director's Award: ''Imaculat'' by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan *Green Drop Award: ''

'' by

*Leoncino d'Oro Award: '' Freaks Out'' by Gabriele Mainetti *Lizzani Award: '' Freaks Out'' by Gabriele Mainetti *Premio Fondazione Fai Persona Lavoro Ambiente: '' El Gran Movimiento'' by Kiro Russo ::Special mention: ''Costa Brava'' by Mounia Akl (treatment of issues related to environment) ::Special mention: '' 7 Prisoners'' by Alexandre Moratto (treatment of issues related to work) ::Special mention: ''Full Time'' by Eric Gravel (treatment of issues related to work) *NUOVOIMAIE TALENT AWARD **Best New Young Actor: Filippo Scotti for ''

'' **Best New Young Actress: Aurora Giovinazzo for '' Freaks Out'' *La Pellicola d'Oro Award **Best Visual Effects: Maurizio Corridori for '' Freaks Out'' **Best Gaffer: Loris Felici for '' Freaks Out'' **Best Camera Operator: Luca Massa for ''

'' **Best Costume Tailoring: Tirelli for '' The King of Laughter'' *Premio Soundtrack Stars Award **Best Soundtrack: '' Freaks Out'' by Gabriele Mainetti ::Special Mention: '' Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon'' by

**Lifetime Achievement Award: Ornella Vanoni *Premio UNIMED: ''

'' by

*Premio Fair Play al Cinema - Vivere da Sportivi: ''

'' by

::Special mention: ''

The Card Counter ''The Card Counter'' is a 2021 American crime drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader. It stars Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, and Willem Dafoe. Martin Scorsese is an executive producer. It had its world premiere at the ...

'' by Paul Schrader * Queer Lion: ''The Last Chapter'' by Gianluca Matarrese *RB Casting Award: Aurora Giovinazzo for '' Freaks Out'' *Sfera 1932 Award: '' The Box'' by

Lorenzo Vigas Lorenzo Vigas Castes (born 1967) is a Venezuelan director, screenwriter and film producer. Biography Education Born in Mérida, the son of the painter Oswaldo Vigas, Vigas graduated in molecular biology at the University of Tampa. In 1995 ...

*SIGNIS Award: '' Another World'' by Stéphane Brizé ::Special mention: ''

'' by

*Smithers Foundation Award "Ambassador of Hope": ''Life of Crime 1984-2020'' by Jon Alpert *“Sorriso Diverso Venezia Award” XI edition **Best Italian Film: '' Freaks Out'' by Gabriele Mainetti **Best Foreign Film: '' 7 Prisoners'' by Alexandre Moratto *10th INTERFILM Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue: ''Amira'' by

*Verona Film Club Award: ''Erasing Frank'' by Gàbor Fabricius

Special Awards

* Golden Lion For Lifetime Achievement:

Roberto Benigni Roberto Remigio Benigni (; born 27 October 1952) is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. He gained international recognition for writing, directing and starring in the Holocaust comedy-drama film ''Life Is Beautiful'' (1997), f ...

and

Jamie Lee Curtis Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22, 1958) is an American actress, producer, children's author, and activist. She came to prominence with her portrayal of Lt. Barbara Duran on the ABC sitcom '' Operation Petticoat'' (1977–78). In 1978, she m ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Venice Film Festival 2021 film festivals 2021 in Italian cinema 78 Film