The INTERFILM Jury in Venice 2026 gave the 15th Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue to *Un bon petit soldat* by Stéphane Brizé, viewing films from both the International Competition and Orizzonti, the festival’s second competition section. The award aims to draw attention to aesthetically compelling films that foster understanding, respect, sympathy and peace amongst people of different origins, histories and faiths.
"Un bon petit soldat" also recieved the prize for Best Screenplay by the international festival jury. The Golden Lion was awarded to “Kvinde ukendt” (Woman Unknown, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia 2026) by May el-Toukhy, whilst Mathilde Arcel in the lead role received the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress. A Silver Lion, the Grand Jury Prize, went to “Ga-neung-han sa-rang” (Possible Love, South Korea 2026) by Lee Chang-dong, whilst a Special Jury Prize was awarded to “Naza” (United Kingdom 2026) by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. John Malkovich was awarded the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor for his role in “Wild Horse Nine” (United Kingdom, USA, Chile 2026) by Martin MacDonagh. The Catholic SIGNIS jury awarded its prize to “Look Back” (Japan 2026) by Hirokazu Koreeda. Lee Chang-dong’s “Possible Love” also received the Prize of the International Film Critics (FIPRESCI), whilst their Prize in the Orizzonti section went to “The Colour of the Sun” (Canada, Italy, Japan 2026) by Xavier Tera.
On 2 September, the 83rd Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica opened with Danny Boyle’s *Ink*. This biographical drama depicts the rise of the British tabloid *The Sun* in the 1960s. The film centres on media magnate Rupert Murdoch, played by Guy Pearce, and editor Larry Lamb, embodied by Jack O’Connell.
In addition to the competition sections, the festival programme included an extensive section entitled ‘Open’, featuring films outside the competition, as well as ‘Venice Classics’, showcasing newly restored classics. A separate short film competition took place as part of Orizzonti.