The 2025 David di Donatello awards, held on May 7, have made history with the film Vermiglio sweeping the ceremony, claiming seven prestigious awards including Best Film and Best Director. This year marked a significant milestone as Maura Delpero became the first woman to win the Best Director award in the event's history, highlighting the evolving landscape of Italian cinema.
Vermiglio, which was produced by Delpero in collaboration with Francesca Andreoli, Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli, and Santiago Fondevila Sancet, also took home awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, and Best Producer. The film was produced under the banner of Cinedora, with support from Rai Cinema, Charades, and Versus, showcasing a strong collaborative effort in its production.
Other notable winners at the event included Elio Germano, who won Best Actor for his role in Berlinguer - La grande ambizione, a film directed by Andrea Segre that delves into the political life of Enrico Berlinguer, the former Secretary of the Italian Communist Party. Tecla Insolia received the Best Actress award for her performance in L'arte della gioia, further emphasizing the talent present in this year’s nominations.
Francesco Di Leva won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Familia, while Valeria Bruni Tedeschi was recognized as Best Supporting Actress for her performance in L'arte della gioia. The event also honored Pupi Avati with a Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Italian film industry.
In addition to the main awards, several special recognitions were given. The David dello Spettatore went to Ferzan Ozpetek for Diamanti, while the David for Best International Film was awarded to Sean Baker’s Anora. Giuseppe Tornatore received the Premio Speciale Cinecittà David 70, celebrating his enduring impact on cinema.
The awards for technical achievements also highlighted the craftsmanship behind Italian films. Mikhail Krichman won Best Cinematography for Vermiglio, while Jacopo Quadri took home the award for Best Editing for Berlinguer - La grande ambizione. Best Production Design went to Tonino Zera, Maria Grazia Schirripa, and Carlotta Desmann for Le déluge - Gli ultimi giorni di Maria Antonietta, showcasing the artistic efforts in set design.
Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio not only won for Best Original Screenplay but also set a precedent for future female directors, as she expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "This award is not just for me, but for all women in film who dare to dream."
In the realm of music, Margherita Vicario and Davide Pavanello won the award for Best Composer for their work on Gloria!, which also won Best Original Song for "Aria!". The film Gloria! also saw Margherita Vicario recognized as Best Debut Director, marking a promising start to her career.
Special awards were also presented, with Timothée Chalamet receiving a David Special award, while Matteo Tortone won Best Short Film for Domenica sera. The Best Non-Original Screenplay award went to Valeria Golino and her collaborators for L'arte della gioia, further emphasizing the film's strong narrative.
In a poignant moment, Pupi Avati called for greater support for independent filmmakers, stating, "The most beautiful thing we could do is for Schlein to call Meloni and say, 'Hi Giorgia, I'm Elly, can we meet for half an hour with Giorgetti and talk about Italian cinema?' It would be something desirable." His remarks highlighted the challenges faced by smaller production companies in the current economic climate.
Overall, the 2025 David di Donatello awards not only celebrated individual talents but also reflected the changing dynamics of the film industry, particularly regarding gender representation and the importance of collaboration in filmmaking. As the night concluded, it was clear that the Italian film scene is vibrant, diverse, and ready to tackle new challenges ahead.
