Returning to the Venice Film Festival for its eleventh edition, the Women in Cinema Award (WiCA) continues its mission to celebrate female talent in film and the arts. The 2025 awards will honor a distinguished group of artists: acclaimed director Julia Ducournau, celebrated director Silvio Soldini, and talented actresses Anna Foglietta and Romana Maggiora Vergano.
Special recognitions will also be presented to Maria Vittoria Rava, president of the Francesca Rava Foundation, and actress Stefania Rocca, a longtime ambassador for the organization, in celebration of the foundation’s 25th anniversary.
A Voice for the Voiceless
This year’s award is dedicated to children suffering from the devastating effects of war, poverty, and repression, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to social issues. Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region, expressed his strong support for the event: “The Veneto region is honored to be the setting for this important award, which shines a spotlight on the affirmation and narration of the social role of women through cinema. Cinema is an undisputed art form, but it is also a story and an image of society, a fundamental means of communication, and an ideal vehicle for messages that can stimulate profound reflections on rights, equality, and inclusivity.”
Claudia Conte, the award’s founder, producer, and host, shared her passion for this year’s theme: “I am proud that the Women in Cinema Award is returning to Venice, because here, more than anywhere else, the value of cinema as a tool for change is recognized. Dedicating this edition to children who suffer means reaffirming that culture and art have a duty to give a voice to the voiceless.”
The Ceremony and Its Legacy
The award ceremony is scheduled for September 4th at 5:00 PM at the Italian Pavilion, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). The event will feature a screening of the short film È come sembra by Anna Foglietta. Among the distinguished guests will be the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Emanuele Prisco, and the President of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Femicide, Martina Semenzato.
The WiCA, which boasts a prestigious all-female Academy, has a rich history of honoring influential figures. Past recipients include Paola Cortellesi, Jane Campion, Liliana Cavani, Piera Detassis, Ilaria Capua, Patty Pravo, Elodie, and Sofia Raffaeli, cementing its reputation as a significant recognition in the international cultural landscape.
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