WINNERS OF THE 2023 VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

The 80th annual Venice Film Festival has officially concluded and "Poor Things", Yorgos Lanthimos' fantastical sci-fi black comedy, received the top prize of the Golden Lion. The story involves a young Victorian woman (played by Emma Stone) who is crudely resurrected by a mad scientist (Willem Dafoe) who then runs off on a journey where she discovers her womanhood and sexuality. The Greek filmmaker honored his star, Stone, who was unable to attend the fest due to the ongoing actors strike, by dedicating the award to her during his acceptance speech.

The Grand Jury Prize went to "Evil Does Not Exist", Ryusuke Hamaguchi's follow-up to his acclaimed 2021 drama, "Drive My Car". The story is about a man and his young daughter living in a small village outside Tokyo and discovers the plans to disturb the quiet area with a camping development for city dwellers.

Best Director went to Matteo Garrone for his latest, "Io capitano" which tells the story of two young men from Dakar who make their way across Africa in a harrowing journey to Europe. One of the leads of the film, Seydou Sarr won The Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Performance by an Emerging Actor or Actress.

Pablo Larraín and Guillermo Calderón won Best Screenplay for "El Conde (The Count)" with director Larraín's political satire involving the idea that what if the Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet never really died because he was a blood-sucking vampire. The film will be available to stream on Netflix beginning September 15th.

Cailee Spaeny received the Best Actress prize for her performance in the title role of "Priscilla", Sofia Coppola's bio-pic on the complicated love affair between the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley and his teenage bride. Peter Sarsgaard won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his work in Michel Franco's "Memory" where he plays a man who reconnects with a fellow student (Jessica Chastain) during their high school reunion that impacts them both in surprising ways.

Here is a partial list of winners of the 2023 Venice Film Festival:

Golden Lion: "Poor Things"
Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: "悪は存在しない (Evil Does Not Exist)"
Special Jury Prize: "Zielona granica (Green Border)"
Silver Lion Best Director: Matteo Garrone, "Io Capitano"



Best Screenplay: Pablo Larrain and Guillermo Calderón, "El Conde (the Count)"
Best Actress: Cailee Spaeny, "Priscilla"
Best Actor: Peter Sarsgaard, "Memory"
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Seydou Sarr, "Io Capitano"
Lion of the Future – Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film: Lee Hong-Chi, "Love is a Gun"



Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement: Tony Leung Chiu-wai