Awardees:

Julia Ducournau, Silvio Soldini, Anna Foglietta, and Romana Maggiora Vergano.

Special recognitions to Maria Vittoria Rava and Stefania Rocca.

Zaia: “The Veneto region is honored to be the setting for this event that highlights the social role of women through cinema.”

At the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Women in Cinema Award (WiCA) returns — an accolade conceived, produced, and hosted by Claudia Conte to celebrate female talent in cinema and the arts. Now in its 11th edition, this year’s award is dedicated to children who are victims of war, poverty, and oppression.

The 2025 awardees include director Julia Ducournau, director Silvio Soldini, actress Anna Foglietta, and rising star Romana Maggiora Vergano.

Special recognitions, marking the 25th anniversary of the Francesca Rava Foundation, will be given to its president Maria Vittoria Rava and Stefania Rocca, a spokesperson for the organization.

“The Veneto region is honored to host this important event that shines a spotlight on the recognition and portrayal of women’s social roles through cinema,” said Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region. “Cinema is undoubtedly a form of art that has perhaps reached its highest technical expression in our time, but it is also a mirror and narrative of society. Therefore, it is a fundamental means of communication, an ideal vehicle for messages that can inspire deep reflection — especially regarding themes of rights, equality, and inclusion.”

“I’m proud that the Women in Cinema Award is returning to Venice,” said Claudia Conte, “because here more than anywhere else, the value of cinema as an instrument of change is truly recognized. Dedicating this edition to children suffering from war, poverty, and oppression is a way to affirm that culture and art have the duty to give a voice to the voiceless.”

The ceremony — attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior Emanuele Prisco and President of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Femicide Martina Semenzato — will take place on September 4 at 5:00 PM at the Italian Pavilion, supported by MiC – Ministry of Culture and Audiovisual.

The event will open with the screening of the short film È come sembra (It Is as It Seems) by Anna Foglietta.

In past editions, WiCA — supported by a prestigious all-female Academy — has honored, among others: Paola Cortellesi, Jane Campion, Liliana Cavani, Piera Detassis, Ilaria Capua, Patty Pravo, Elodie, and Sofia Raffaeli.