The 82nd Venice Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events, concluded on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with a ceremony honoring outstanding filmmakers, including the notable appearances of Jim Jarmusch and Bahrām Biyazāi.
Golden Lion for Jarmusch
The festival’s top award, the Golden Lion for Best Film, went to Jim Jarmusch, the acclaimed American filmmaker, for his latest work “Paterson, Mother, Sister, Brother”. The film presents a multi-part exploration of adult children’s relationships with their parents and the silent struggles in expressing emotions. Notable actors such as Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, and Adam Driver appear in the film.
Upon receiving the award, Jarmusch remarked, “Filmmakers do not create films to compete, but I am deeply grateful for this unexpected recognition,” and emphasized that he is constantly learning in his filmmaking journey.
Silver Lion for Kawthar Ben Hania
The Grand Jury Prize, or Silver Lion, was awarded to “The Voice of Hind Rajab” by Tunisian filmmaker Kawthar Ben Hania. This docudrama recreates the final moments of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, using recordings of her real calls to aid workers. The film’s premiere was met with a 22-minute standing ovation.
Other Notable Winners
- Best Director: Benny Safdie for “The Crusher”, a biographical tale of mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr.
- Best Actress: Xin Zili, for “The Sun Rises on All of Us”, portraying a love triangle in Guangzhou’s labor-intensive workshops.
- Best Actor: Toni Servillo for “La Grazia”, playing a president at the end of his term.
- Best Screenplay: Valérie Donzelli and Gilles Marchand for the French drama “Working”.
- Special Jury Prize: Gianfranco Rosi for the poetic documentary “Below the Clouds” about Naples.
Biyazāi’s “Bashu, the Little Stranger” Honored
A highlight of this year’s festival was the Best Restored Classic award, given to Bahrām Biyazāi’s “Bashu, the Little Stranger”. After four decades and years of censorship and cuts, the film returned to the screen and captured international acclaim.
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, a jury member, read Biyazāi’s message at the ceremony. Biyazāi reflected: “Forty years have passed since filming Bashu, the Little Stranger. Back then, even speaking simple truths could be a threat. But could offering refuge to a child of war be forbidden?” He humbly dedicated the award to all victims of the Iran-Iraq War.
The film tells the story of Bashu, a young boy from southern Iran displaced by war, who arrives in the north and finds refuge with a rural woman, Nāyi. Initially separated by language and culture, they gradually form a bond of empathy and cooperation. The film was among the first in Iranian cinema to highlight the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
A Festival of Tribute and Reflection
During the closing ceremony, attendees also paid tribute to the recently deceased Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, a longtime supporter of the Venice Film Festival, whose work bridged cinema, fashion, and the arts.
Beginning on August 27, the Venice Film Festival once again affirmed its place, alongside Cannes, as a leading global cinematic event.
