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78th Venice International Film Festival

Official festival poster by Lorenzo Mattotti.
Opening film	Parallel Mothers
Closing film	Il Bambino Nascosto
Location	Venice, Italy
Founded	1932
Awards	Golden Lion: Happening
Hosted by	Serena Rossi
No. of films	92
Festival date	1 – 11 September 2021
Website	www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2021
Venice Film Festival chronology
79th 77th

The 78th annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 1 to 11 September 2021.

South Korean director Bong Joon-ho was the Jury President of the main competition, marking the first time a South Korean director has been picked as the festival's top juror. Serena Rossi hosted the opening and closing nights. The Golden Lion was awarded to Happening directed by Audrey Diwan.

Juries

Main Competition (Venezia 78)

• Bong Joon-ho, South Korean filmmaker - Jury President
• Saverio Costanzo, Italian filmmaker
• Virginie Efira, Belgian actress
• Cynthia Erivo, British actress and singer
• Sarah Gadon, Canadian actress
• Alexander Nanau, Romanian-German director
• Chloé Zhao, Chinese-American filmmaker

Horizons

• Jasmila Žbanić, Bosnian filmmaker and producer - Jury President
• Mona Fastvold, Norwegian filmmaker and actress
• Shahram Mokri, Iranian filmmaker
• Josh Siegel, director of the cinema department of MoMA
• Nadia Terranova, Italian novelist

Luigi De Laurentis Award for a Debut Film

• Uberto Pasolini, Italian director and producer - Jury President
• Martin Schweighofer, Austrian film critic
• Amalia Ulman, Argentine visual artist

Official Sections

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 (Orizzonti)

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

Highlighted title indicates Orizzonti award winner.

Horizons Extra (Orizzonti Extra)

The following films were selected to the Orizzonti Extra section:

Highlighted title indicates Orizzonti Extra award winner.

Biennale College - Cinema

The following films were selected for the Biennale College - Cinema section.

Independent Sections

Venice International Critics' Week

The lineup of films selected for the 36th Venice International Critics' Week is as follows:

Giornate degli Autori

The following films were selected for the Giornate degli Autori (aka Venice Days) section:

Official Awards

The following official awards were presented at the 78th Edition:

In Competition

• Golden Lion: Happening by Audrey Diwan
• Grand Jury Prize: The Hand of God by Paolo Sorrentino
• Silver Lion: The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion
• Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Penélope Cruz for Parallel Mothers
• Volpi Cup for Best Actor: John Arcilla for On the Job: The Missing 8
• Best Screenplay: The Lost Daughter by Maggie Gyllenhaal
• Special Jury Prize: Il buco by Michelangelo Frammartino
• Marcello Mastroianni Award: Filippo Scotti for The Hand of God

Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement

• Roberto Benigni
• Jamie Lee Curtis

Horizons (Orizzonti)

• Best Film: Pilgrims by Laurynas Bareisa
• Best Director: Full Time by Éric Gravel
• Special Jury Prize: El Gran Movimiento by Kiro Russo
• Best Actress: Laure Calamy for Full Time
• Best Actor: Piseth Chhun for White Building
• Best Screenplay: 107 Mothers 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

Luigi De Laurentis Award for a Debut Film (Lion of the Future)

• Immaculate by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan

Independent Sections Awards

The following awards were presented by independent juries:

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

Giornarte degli Autori

• GdA Director's Award: Immaculate by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan
• Europa Cinemas Label Award: Californie by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman

Independent Awards

Queer Lion

• The Last Chapter by Gianluca Matarrese

Arca CinemaGiovani Award

• Best Italian Film: The Hand of God by Paolo Sorrentino
• Venezia 78 Best Film: Happening by Audrey Diwan

Authors under 40 Award

• Best Director: Vera Dreams of the Sea by Kaltrina Krasniqi
• Best Screenplay: Immaculate by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan

BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas People's Choice Award

• Privat Desert by Aly Muritiba

Brian Award

• Happening by Audrey Diwan

Casa Wabi – Mantarraya Award

• Immaculate by George Chiper-Lillemark and Monica Stan

CICT - UNESCO "Enrico Fulchignoni" Award

• Amira by Mohamed Diab

Edipo Re Award

• Al Garib by Amer Fakher Eldin
• Vera Dreams of the Sea by Kaltrina Krasniqi

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
• VR Fan Experience: Knot: A Trilogy by Glen Neath and David Rosenberg
• Special Mention: Old Henry by Potsy Ponciroli

FEDIC Award

• Il buco by Michelangelo Frammartino
  • Special mention: The Girl Flew by Wilma Labate

FIPRESCI Awards

• Best Film (main competition): Happening by Audrey Diwan
• Best Film (other sections): Zalava by Arsalan Amiri

Fondazione Mimmo Rotella Award

• Mario Martone and Toni Servillo for The King of Laughter

Francesco Pasinetti Award

• Best Film: The Hand of God by Paolo Sorrentino
• Best Actor:
  • Leonardo Di Costanzo for The Inner Cage
  • Toni Servillo for The Hand of God and The King of Laughter
• Best Actress: Teresa Saponangelo for The Hand of God

Green Drop Award

• Il buco by Michelangelo Frammartino

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, Lebanon by Mounia Akl
  • Special mention: 7 Prisoners by Alexandre Moratto
  • Special mention: Full Time by Éric Gravel

Nuovoimaie Talent Award

• Best New Young Actor: Filippo Scotti for The Hand of God
• 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 Il buco
• 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 Ana Lily Amirpour
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ornella Vanoni

Premio UNIMED

• The Hand of God by Paolo Sorrentino

Premio Fair Play al Cinema - Vivere da Sportivi

• Il buco by Michelangelo Frammartino
  • Special mention: The Card Counter by Paul Schrader

RB Casting Award

• Aurora Giovinazzo for Freaks Out

Sfera 1932 Award

• The Box by Lorenzo Vigas

SIGNIS Award

• Another World by Stéphane Brizé
  • Special mention: The Hand of God by Paolo Sorrentino

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 Mohamed Diab

Verona Film Club Award

• Erasing Frank by Gàbor Fabricius

References

1. "Director Bong Joon Ho President of the Venezia 78 International Jury". 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
2. Vivarelli, Nick (15 January 2021). "'Parasite' Director Bong Joon Ho to Head Jury at Venice Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
3. Wiseman, Andreas (15 January 2021). "Venice Film Festival: 'Parasite' Director Bong Joon Ho Set As 2021 Jury President". Deadline. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
4. "Biennale Cinema 2021 | Serena Rossi to host the opening and closing nights of Venezia 78". La Biennale di Venezia. 29 April 2021.
5. "French abortion drama 'Happening' wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival". France 24. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
6. ^ "Venice Competition Jury: Chloé Zhao & Cynthia Erivo Join President Bong Joon Ho". 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
7. Roxborough, Scott (26 July 2021). "Venice Film Festival 2021 Full Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
8. Hollywood Cheers AT&T Retreat, Viewing Discovery As More Talent-Friendly Warner Steward; HBO Max Day-And-Date Strategy For ‘Dune’ Gets A Rewrite
9. Vivarelli, Nick (14 May 2021). "Venice Fest Prepares to Roll Out Red Carpet for Full-Fledged Physical Edition (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
10. Venice: Jamie Lee Curtis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion; ‘Halloween Kills’ Screening Out of Competition
11. Roxborough, Scott (26 July 2021). "Venice Film Festival 2021 Full Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
12. Roxborough, Scott (3 August 2021). "2021 Venice Festival Adds Music Documentary 'Becoming Led Zeppelin'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
13. "Orizzonti". labiennale.org. La Biennale di Venezia. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
14. staff (27 August 2021). "Venice 2021 preview: Screen's guide to the Horizons titles". Screen International. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
15. "Biennale Cinema 2021 | Biennale College Cinema". La Biennale di Venezia. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
16. Tangcay, Jazz (20 August 2021). "'The Cathedral': First Look at Brian D'Arcy James and Monica Barbaro (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
17. De Marco, Camillo (22 July 2021). "Venice's International Film Critics' Week line-up sees Europe playing a leading role in the increasingly global nature of films". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
18. Lavallée, Eric (28 July 2021). "2021 Giornate degli Autori: Plenty of First Features Plus Antoine Barraud, Iván Fund & Aly Muritiba". IONCINEMA.com. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
19. "French Abortion Drama 'Happening' Wins Venice Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
20. "Mostra del Cinema di Venezia, a Roberto Benigni il Leone d'oro alla carriera". Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (in Italian). 15 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
21. "Festival di Venezia, a Jamie Lee Curtis il Leone d'Oro alla carriera". Sky TG 24 (in Italian). 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
22. "COLLATERAL AWARDS OF THE 78TH VENICE FILM FESTIVAL". labiennale.org. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.

External links

• Official website

• 2021 film festivals
• 2021 in Italian cinema
• Venice Film Festival
• 2020s in Venice
• September 2021 events in Italy