May El-Toukhy’s 'Woman Unknown' Takes Venice Golden Lion; Malkovich Wins Actor Prize

Key points

• May El-Toukhy’s 'Woman Unknown' won the Golden Lion for Best Film, marking a significant victory for a female-directed entry in a competition with only two women helming films.
• John Malkovich won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in Martin McDonagh’s 'Wild Horse Nine,' a black comedy about CIA agents in 1960s Chile.
• Lee Chang-dong’s 'Possible Love' received the Grand Jury Prize, strengthening its position as a frontrunner for the Best International Feature Oscar category.
• The Israeli documentary 'NAZA,' which featured testimony from military officers regarding civilian casualties in Gaza, won the Special Jury Prize after receiving a record 25-minute standing ovation.
• Mathilde Arcel won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for 'Woman Unknown,' and the ceremony included tributes to the late producer Jeremy Thomas, who died at age 77.

Background

The 2026 fall festival season has been defined by strong Oscar buzz, with earlier coverage from Telluride highlighting titles like 'Club Kid' and 'La Bola Negra.' Venice 2026 followed this trend, with 'Possible Love' and 'Wild Horse Nine' emerging as key contenders. The festival also saw the premiere of Alex Gibney’s documentary 'Musk,' which generated significant controversy and discussion regarding its portrayal of the tech mogul.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the 'Oscar buzz' surrounding 'Wild Horse Nine' and 'Possible Love,' noting the latter’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. BBC highlighted 'Primetime' and 'Flesh Impact' as potential Oscar contenders, praising Robert Pattinson’s performance in the former. Deadline focused on the political weight of 'NAZA' and the significance of El-Toukhy’s Golden Lion win, noting the film’s themes of 'invisible women.' Variety provided a comprehensive list of winners, including the Silver Lion for Best Director to Ilya Khrzhanovsky for 'Dau,' which some viewers felt was overlooked for the top prize.

Why it matters

The Venice winners set the stage for the 2027 Academy Awards, with 'Woman Unknown' and 'Possible Love' now leading the international feature race. Malkovich’s win boosts his chances for a Best Actor nomination, while the controversy surrounding 'NAZA' and 'Musk' reflects the increasing intersection of geopolitics and film festivals. The ceremony also highlighted the growing influence of female directors in major international competitions.

What to watch

The next major film event is the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will further shape the Oscar race. 'Wild Horse Nine' is set for a worldwide release via Searchlight Pictures, while 'Possible Love' has been selected by South Korea as its Best International Feature entry. The Academy Awards nominations are expected to be announced in early 2027.