Jim Jarmusch Lion d’Or at the Venice Mostra 2025: The whole list
Alexander Payne’s jury also crowned Benny Safdie best director. The French Valérie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand win the prize for the best scenario for work.
The 82e Mostra de Venise made his verdict.
The Golden Lion The best film comes back to Jim Jarmusch pour Father Mother Sister Brothera triptych on three families and their dynamics. “As filmmakers, we are not motivated by competition, but it is something that I appreciate deeply”said on stage the director, black glasses and Bordeaux costume (via Variety) before recalling his attachment to Venice, “The city of Casanova, Vivaldi and Terence Hill”.
Father Mother Sister Brotherwhich will be released in France on January 7, 2026, brings together an amazing cast: Cate Blanchett, Tom Waits, Adam Driver or Mayim Biikik.
Note that this is the first major consecration for Jarmusch20 years after his jury grand prix in Cannes Poàur Broken Flowers (2005).
Many thought, however, that the Golden Lion would go to The Voice of Hind Rajab of Kauther Ben Haniadrama on Gaza which had moved the Mostra during its projection, causing a 22 -minute ovation. Finally, the film received the Jury Grand Prix.
At a press conference, the president of the jury Alexander Payne must have justified this choice:
“The injustice of a festival is to have to say that such a film is better than another, which is not true. We cherish these two films too, each for their own reasons. If we had voted the day before or the next day, the result could have been different.”
Asked about a rumor evoking a juror who would have threatened to leave the deliberation, he swept the idea: “One of my jurors would have threatened to resign? Me? No … I think you shouldn’t believe everything you read online.”
On stage, Kauther Ben Hania Delivered one of the most powerful speeches of the evening, dedicating its price to the Palestinian Red Crescent and others “hero” by Gaza: “Hind’s voice was a cry of help that the whole world heard but to which no one has answered. His voice will continue to resonate until justice and responsibility are established. Cinema cannot bring it back, nor erase the atrocity inflicted on it. But cinema can preserve its voice.”
The Silver Lion of the staging went to Benny Safdie Who is strong for his first solo film (without his brother Josh). The Smashing Machine Met Dwayne Johnson in the shoes of an old MMA legend. The biopic is expected in France on October 29. The filmmaker entrusted his emotion:
“Being here, among the giants of the past and those of this year is a dream come true. It amazes me.”
French cinema has also been honored. Valérie Dongings et Gilles Marchand won the prize for the best scenario to Workforcein which Bastien Bouillon embodies a successful photographer who abandons everything to devote himself to writing, discovering poverty. Exit scheduled for January 21, 2026.
The special jury price went to Pompeii, under the clouds of Gianfranco Rosiplunged into the lives of the inhabitants living in the shade of Vesuvius, expected in theaters on November 19.
Best actor Volpi Cup has rewarded Toni Servillo pour Grace of Paolo Sorrentino (no French date yet), while that of the best actress returned to Xin Zhilei pour The Sun Rises on Us All.
The first time in competition at the Film Festival and immediately a recognition: with his “à Pied d’œuvre”, Valerie Donzelli wins the prize for the best screenplay
The film tells the story of a successful photographer who decides to start a career as a writer, … pic.twitter.com/nfAwWLN5q6
— We Love Cinema (@WeCinema) September 6, 2025
