Industry

The 70th edition of the David di Donatello Awards, Italy’s most prestigious film honors, took place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in a glamorous ceremony held at Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The event, broadcast in prime time on Rai 1, was co-hosted by international music star Mika and celebrated Italian actress Elena Sofia Ricci. The night belonged to Vermiglio, the haunting and poetic film by Maura Delpero, which dominated the evening with a total of seven awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. In a historic milestone, Delpero became the first woman ever to win the David for Best Director.

The ceremony also marked a significant shift toward female recognition in Italian cinema. Valeria Golino’s L’arte della gioia earned major accolades, with Tecla Insolia winning Best Actress, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi taking Best Supporting Actress, and the film itself awarded Best Adapted Screenplay.

Singer-turned-director Margherita Vicario impressed with her debut feature Gloria!, which won Best First Feature, Best Original Song ("Aria!"), and Best Score—a triple triumph underscoring her multifaceted talent.

Despite leading with 15 nominations alongside Andrea Segre’s Berlinguer – La grande ambizione, Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope walked away empty-handed. Segre’s political biopic secured two major wins: Best Actor for Elio Germano and Best Editing.

Francesco Di Leva won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Familia by Francesco Costabile.

A particularly emotional highlight of the evening was the tribute to Eleonora Giorgi, who passed away on March 3. Mika and actor Claudio Santamaria honored her with a moving performance of Lucio Dalla’s Futura, referencing Giorgi’s iconic appearance in Borotalco.

The international spotlight intensified when Timothée Chalamet, accompanied by his partner Kylie Jenner and father, received the David Speciale. The couple’s first red carpet appearance together drew global media attention.

Full List of David di Donatello 2025 Winners
Best Film: Vermiglio by Maura Delpero

Best Director: Maura Delpero (Vermiglio)

Best First Feature: Gloria! by Margherita Vicario

Best Actress: Tecla Insolia (L’arte della gioia)

Best Actor: Elio Germano (Berlinguer – La grande ambizione)

Best Supporting Actress: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi (L’arte della gioia)

Best Supporting Actor: Francesco Di Leva (Familia)

Best Original Screenplay: Maura Delpero (Vermiglio)

Best Adapted Screenplay: L’arte della gioia – Valeria Golino, Francesca Marciano, Valia Santella, Luca Infascelli, Stefano Sardo

Best Cinematography: Mikhail Krichman (Vermiglio)

Best Original Song: Aria! – Margherita Vicario & collaborators (Gloria!)

Best Score: Margherita Vicario, Davide Pavanello (Gloria!)

Best Production Design: Le déluge – Gli ultimi giorni di Maria Antonietta – Tonino Zera et al.

Best Costumes: Massimo Cantini Parrini (Le déluge)

Best Makeup: Alessandra Vita, Valentina Visintin (Le déluge)

Best Hairstyling: Aldo Signoretti, Domingo Santoro (Le déluge)

Best Editing: Jacopo Quadri (Berlinguer – La grande ambizione)

Best Documentary (Cecilia Mangini Award): Lirica Ucraina by Francesca Mannocchi

Best Short Film: Domenica Sera by Matteo Tortone

Best Visual Effects (VFX): Victor Perez (Napoli – New York)

Best Sound: Vermiglio – Dana Farzanehpour, Hervé Guyader, Emmanuel De Boissieu

Best Casting: Stefania Rodà, Maurilio Mangano (Vermiglio)

Best Producer: Vermiglio – Francesca Andreoli, Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli, Santiago Fondevila Sancet, Maura Delpero (Cinedora, Rai Cinema, Charades, Versus)

Youth Award (David Giovani): Napoli – New York by Gabriele Salvatores

Audience Award (David dello Spettatore): Diamanti by Ferzan Ozpetek

Best International Film: Anora by Sean Baker

Lifetime Achievement Award: Pupi Avati

Special David Awards: Timothée Chalamet, Ornella Muti

Cinecittà David 70 Special Prize: Giuseppe Tornatore