The 81st Venice International Film Festival concluded on Saturday, with the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film awarded to Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for ‘The Room Next Door.’
The world’s oldest film festival, held on Venice’s Lido Peninsula, began on Aug. 28 and culminated in an awards ceremony, where Almodóvar’s victory stood out as one of the evening’s highlights.
The Silver Lion for Best Director went to American filmmaker Brady Corbet for ‘The Brutalist.’
Vincent Lindon won Best Actor for his performance in ‘The Quiet Son,’ while Nicole Kidman took home Best Actress for her role in ‘Babygirl.’
The Best Screenplay award was given to Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega for their work on ‘Ainda Estou Aqui (I’m Still Here).’
The ceremony was notably marked by several winners using the platform to condemn Israel’s ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip, which has persisted for nearly a year.
Sarah Friedland, who received the “Lion of the Future” award for promising directors for her film *Familiar Touch,* dedicated her award to the Palestinian people, highlighting the ongoing occupation in Gaza. “I accept this award on the 336th day of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the 76th year of occupation,” Friedland stated.
