The 70th edition of the David di Donatello Awards, celebrated in the historic setting of Cinecittà’s Teatro 5 in Rome, had an unexpected but necessary protagonist: the need for change and transformation needed by the sector. The one in 2025 was a ceremony that honored female talent, valued craftsmanship in cinema and gave space for important reflections on the role of culture in our time.
David di Donatello Academy President Piera Detassis, during the event’s presentation at Quirinale, official residence of the President of the Republic, said: “This should not be news, but in fact it is: for the first time we have three female directors nominated for Best Film and Best Director, and there are also four female authors out of five for Best Documentary. The presence of so many stories of young women and teenagers among the nominated films is striking. It’s a very contemporary look, unfortunately also very topical in terms of the issues covered, such as violence in the family.”
During the evening, Cinecittà CEO Manuela Cacciamani announced the first edition of the Cinecittà Award, a new recognition that pays tribute to the historic studios on Via Tuscolana, on the occasion of the award’s 70th anniversary. Currently, there are only 350 film artisans working at the Roman studios—a symbolic but significant number for the memory and future of Italian production.
Among the most applauded speeches was that of actor Elio Germano, who struck straight to the point in a politically engaged edition in particular: “Equality of dignity means that all people must be equally worthy. A poor person must have the same dignity as a rich person, they must have access to education, to health care, and a woman must have the same dignity as a man, a black person the same dignity as a white person, an Italian the same dignity as a foreigner, and let me say a Palestinian the same dignity as an Israeli.” After the event, to the cameras of Lo Speciale Giornale, he said: “More money for culture, not for weapons.”
Following the awards ceremony at the Quirinale, tensions began to rise. The event was attended by President Sergio Mattarella, who received the Special Prize for his ongoing support of Italian cultural heritage, and by Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli. However, Giuli’s optimistic remarks drew criticism. Actor Elio Germano found them “annoying,” dismissing them as unfounded praise for the country’s film industry. According to Germano, the reality is quite different: the industry is struggling due to a lack of proper infrastructure and meaningful government support.
Maura Delpero marked a new milestone by becoming the first woman to win the David for Best Director with the film Vermiglio, which also won Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. Multiple award winner L’arte della gioia, an adaptation of Goliarda Sapienza’s novel directed by Valeria Golino: for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Tecla Insolia; Valeria Bruni Tedeschi was awarded Best Supporting Actress, while Valeria Golino, along with Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella, Luca Infascelli and Stefano Sardo received the award for Best Non Original Screenplay. For Best Directorial Debut, with the film Gloria!, Margherita Vicario triumphed.
The Special Lifetime Achievement Award to Ornella Muti completes a myriad of statuettes to the professional talent of Italian actresses, directors, screenwriters, a boast for our nation, celebrated in one of the temples of the Seventh Art. Guest star Monica Bellucci presented another Special Award, who colored the Festival with world-renowned Guest, Timothée Chalamet, U.S. actor. He was awarded for his connection with Italian cinema, as he worked with director Luca Guadagnino for Call Me By Your Name, set in Crema, Lombardy.
The look to the future of an industry that is fundamental to the national and cultural identity of Italian Cinema, returned in the speech of Giuseppe Tornatore, director and screenwriter, celebrated by another Special Award, for his significant contribution to Italian cinema. He reserved words of encouragement for young filmmakers, who were invited to insist in their passion, the sacred fire of art and life.
