Industry

The curtain has fallen on the 71st edition of the Taormina Film Festival (June 10-14, 2025), a landmark event in Italy’s cultural calendar that returned in full force under the artistic direction of Tiziana Rocca, who came back to lead the festival after an eight-year hiatus. This year’s edition concluded with a moving awards ceremony at the iconic Teatro Antico, reaffirming the festival's international prestige and emotional resonance.

Monica Bellucci Honored, Ebada Hassan Wins Best Actress
One of the highlights of the closing night was the celebration of Monica Bellucci, who received a special award for her outstanding career. However, it was Ebada Hassan who stole the spotlight by winning Best Actress for her powerful performance in Brides – Giovani Spose, a UK drama directed by Nadia Fall.
The film, set in the UK and Syria, follows two young women seeking belonging and freedom, whose radical journey leads them to support ISIS. Hassan delivers a deeply emotional and nuanced portrayal that captivated both audiences and jury alike. Her performance, alongside Safiyya Ingar and Yusra Warsama, brings urgency and complexity to a story that explores identity, vulnerability, and misguided hope.

“This festival was a mission,” said Rocca during the closing press conference. “I did everything I could to bring Taormina back to its former splendor—and the people told me ‘Welcome back, the festival is shining again.’ That means everything to me.”
The five-day celebration of cinema featured a dazzling array of international guests, with unforgettable appearances by Michael Douglas and Martin Scorsese, who were met with overwhelming admiration from fans and press alike. “Scorsese was received like a rockstar,” Rocca recalled, highlighting the emotion and generosity the stars brought to Taormina, taking time for autographs, photos, and genuine interactions with attendees.
“This is a popular festival with two souls,” Rocca emphasized. “One is the competition, and the other is deeply connected to popular culture. I wanted both worlds to meet at the Teatro Antico.”

Best Actor went to Geoffrey Rush for The Rule of Jenny Pen, a chilling psychological horror by James Ashcroft. Rush plays a retired judge who confronts a manipulative, sadistic elderly man terrorizing a nursing home through a sinister puppet.
Best Director was awarded jointly to Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza for Warfare – Tempo di guerra, a visceral war drama based on real-life events. The film plunges viewers into the harrowing world of Navy SEALs operating in Iraq in 2006. Mendoza, himself a veteran, brings firsthand authenticity to the film’s immersive, intense storytelling.
Best Film went to For Your Sake, an Argentinian drama by Axel Monsú, starring Sabrina Melgarejo. The film tells the story of Zulma, a teenage girl raised in a poor, ultra-conservative rural community, who ultimately takes charge of her fate after a life-changing event. It’s a coming-of-age tale that resonates with quiet strength and social urgency.