The 83rd Venice International Film Festival concluded with the Danish drama Woman Unknown, directed by May el-Toukhy, winning the prestigious Golden Lion award, according to festival coverage. The announcement marked the close of the world’s oldest continuous film event, first established in 1932.
Golden Lion Winner Woman Unknown Leads Venice Honors
May el-Toukhy accepted the top prize for Woman Unknown at the conclusion of the festival. Alongside the main feature victory, the film also brought individual recognition to its cast. Mathilde Arcel, who starred in the lead role of the Danish production, received the award for best actress, as reported by event coverage.
The festival jury was chaired by American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Grand Jury Prize and Special Mentions
The runner-up honor, known as the grand jury prize, went to South Korean director Lee Chang-dong for his feature Possible Love. Meanwhile, the jury prize recognized NAZA, a documentary focusing on Israeli airstrikes targeting the Gaza Strip.
Acting and writing categories similarly spanned international productions. John Malkovich secured the best actor prize for his performance in Wild Horse Nine, a film examining the 1973 military coup in Chile. In the writing category, Stéphane Brizé took home the best screenplay award alongside co-creators Coralie Amedeo and Olivier Gorce for Good Little Soldier, with Brizé also participating as a director on the project.
Side Programs and Festival Context
Beyond the main competition, the lineup featured diverse independent selections. The Venice Days sidebar, known officially as Giornate degli Autori, showcased auteur-driven works including Hungarian director Lili Horvát’s film Notes from Mars (Jegyzeteim a Marsról).
Did you know? Founded in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival stands as the oldest film festival globally, predating both Cannes and Berlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival?
The Danish film Woman Unknown, directed by May el-Toukhy, won the Golden Lion.
Who won the best actor and actress awards?
John Malkovich won best actor for Wild Horse Nine, and Mathilde Arcel won best actress for Woman Unknown.
Who served as the jury president?
American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal headed the festival jury.
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