Venice: US indie director Jim Jarmusch won the Golden Lion award for the best film at the Venice Film Festival with his family saga "Father Mother Sister Brother."
According to France24.com, the docudrama "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a true-life account of the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl during the Gaza war, took the runner-up Silver Lion. Jarmusch's film, a three-part meditation on families and the uneasy ties between parents and their adult children, captivated audiences and clinched the coveted prize.
The film "Father Mother Sister Brother" is divided into chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris, featuring an ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore, and Luka Sabbat. Each segment delves into domestic encounters that reveal generational awkwardness through small gestures and silences.
Italy's Toni Servillo was named best actor for his portrayal of a weary president nearing the end of his mandate in "La Grazia," directed by Paolo Sorrentino. China's Xin Zhilei won best actress for her role in "The Sun Rises On Us All," a drama exploring the complexities of sacrifice and unresolved feelings between estranged lovers.
The Venice festival often sets the stage for the awards season, with films premiered here over recent years receiving numerous Oscar nominations and wins. In 2025, the festival spotlighted films reflecting current events, including the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza. "The Voice of Hind Rajab," featuring real audio of a young girl's pleas under Israeli gunfire, resonated with audiences, earning a record 24-minute standing ovation.
Benny Safdie won best director for "The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as real-life mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Kerr. The special jury award was given to Italy's Gianfranco Rosi for "Below the Clouds," a documentary about life in Naples.
Despite strong reviews, some films left Venice without awards, including Netflix's "A House of Dynamite," Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," and Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly." South Korea's "No Other Choice" by Park Chan-wook and "Bugonia" by Yorgos Lanthimos also did not secure awards. The main jury was chaired by US director Alexander Payne, with a panel of international filmmakers and actresses.