Venice 2026: 'Woman Unknown' Wins Golden Lion as Malkovich Takes Actor Prize

Key points

• May el-Toukhy’s 'Woman Unknown' won the Golden Lion for Best Film and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Mathilde Arcel.
• John Malkovich won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in Martin McDonagh’s 'Wild Horse Nine.'
• Lee Chang-dong’s 'Possible Love' received the Grand Jury Prize, while 'NAZA' won the Special Jury Prize.
• The jury, led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, awarded the Best Director prize to Ilya Khrzhanovsky for 'DAU.'
• The ceremony included tributes to Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas, who died at age 77.

Background

The 83rd Venice Film Festival took place in September 2026, following the lifetime achievement award given to George Clooney at the opening ceremony. The festival served as a key launchpad for Oscar contenders, with previous coverage noting strong critical reception for films like 'Possible Love' and 'NAZA' during the fall festival season.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the strong Oscar potential of 'Wild Horse Nine' and 'Primetime,' while IndieWire highlighted the significance of 'Woman Unknown' winning the Golden Lion, noting it was the only film in the competition directed by a woman. BBC focused on the broader Oscar buzz, listing 'Flesh Impact' and 'Musk' as notable contenders, whereas THR and IndieWire detailed the specific award winners, including the Best Screenplay prize for 'A Good Little Soldier.' All sources agreed on the record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation for 'NAZA' and the tribute to Jeremy Thomas.

Why it matters

The Venice winners signal the direction of the upcoming Oscar race, with 'Woman Unknown' and 'Wild Horse Nine' emerging as strong contenders. The festival also highlighted the growing influence of international films, such as Lee Chang-dong’s 'Possible Love,' and the continued relevance of documentary features like 'NAZA' in the awards landscape.

What to watch

The films are expected to continue their festival runs, with 'Wild Horse Nine' set for a worldwide release via Searchlight Pictures. The Oscar campaign will likely intensify in the coming months, with 'Woman Unknown' and 'Possible Love' vying for international feature and best picture nominations.