The 82nd Venice International Film Festival concluded on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with Jim Jarmusch’s film, Father Mother Sister Brother, winning the coveted Golden Lion. The American director’s poignant exploration of familial relationships triumphed over a competitive field, including Kaouther Ben Hania’s critically acclaimed The Voice of Hind Rajab and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice.
Jarmusch’s Quiet Triumph
Father Mother Sister Brother, starring Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Cate Blanchett, is a reflective and quietly humorous portrayal of the dynamics between siblings and their parents. The film received a modest six-minute standing ovation at its premiere but resonated strongly with the jury led by Alexander Payne. In his acceptance speech, Jarmusch expressed humility, referencing Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa: “Like him, I still feel like I don’t know much about filmmaking and am always learning.”
While the film’s victory was unexpected, Jarmusch credited the Venice Film Festival for appreciating his “quiet film” amidst the louder, more emotionally charged entries. According to LAist, this win underscores the festival’s openness to diverse cinematic voices, even as online debates questioned the jury’s decision.
The Voice of Hind Rajab: A Powerful Runner-Up
Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab secured the Silver Lion, the festival’s second-highest honor. The docudrama, which incorporates real audio from a 6-year-old Palestinian girl’s final moments during the 2024 Gaza conflict, received a record-breaking 23-minute standing ovation. Critics and audiences alike were moved by its raw portrayal of human tragedy. During her acceptance speech, Ben Hania dedicated the award to the Palestine Red Crescent Society and called for global accountability and justice.
Speaking with The Guardian, festival attendees voiced disappointment that the film did not win the Golden Lion. Some argued that its political and emotional impact deserved the top prize. Jury member Fernanda Torres reportedly considered resigning over the decision, a claim Alexander Payne later denied during a press conference.
Other Notable Winners
The festival celebrated a diverse range of talent. Benny Safdie won Best Director for The Smashing Machine, a biopic about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, starring Dwayne Johnson. According to IMDb, Safdie praised his cast for their fearless performances, describing the filmmaking process as “jumping off a cliff together.”
Xin Zhilei was named Best Actress for her role in Cai Shangjun’s The Sun Rises on Us All, a gripping drama set in Guangzhou’s sweatshops. Italian actor Toni Servillo won Best Actor for his portrayal of a retiring president in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia. The Special Jury Prize went to Gianfranco Rosi’s Below the Clouds, a lyrical documentary about Naples.
French filmmakers Valérie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand received the Best Screenplay award for At Work, a drama exploring the gig economy. Swiss actress Luna Wedler was honored with the Marcello Mastroianni Award for her role in Silent Friend, a poetic film centered on a medieval university town in Germany.
Broader Implications and Tributes
As in previous years, the Venice Film Festival served as a platform for addressing global issues. Winners like Ben Hania and Indian director Anuparna Roy, who won Best Director in the Horizons section for Songs of Forgotten Trees, used their speeches to highlight conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Roy’s remarks, reported by LAist, emphasized the universal right to peace and liberation.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, whose contributions to fashion and cinema were celebrated with a standing ovation. Italian architect Carlo Ratti praised Armani’s vision, stating, “He taught us that creativity lives in the spaces where disciplines meet.”
Historically, the Venice Film Festival has influenced the Oscars, with past Golden Lion winners like The Shape of Water and Nomadland achieving Best Picture accolades. While Father Mother Sister Brother may not generate the same level of awards buzz, its win affirms the festival’s commitment to honoring diverse storytelling.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival will be remembered for its celebration of bold, innovative cinema. While debates about the jury’s decisions continue, the event highlighted the power of film to spark dialogue and inspire change.