David di Donatello Awards: ‘The Last One for the Road’ Leads 71st Edition at Cinecittà
The 71st David di Donatello Awards had one clear frontrunner from the moment nominations were announced: The Last One for the Road (Le città di pianura) by Francesco Sossai, which led the field with 16 nominations. The ceremony on May 6, broadcast live from Cinecittà’s new Teatro 23, confirmed the central role of The Last One for the Road, which counted Best Film, Best Director and Best Leading Actor among its awards. The event also showcased the upgraded technical capabilities of the new stage, designed to meet increasingly international production standards.
In the acting categories, the winners drew a clear map of the talent currently driving Italian cinema. Aurora Quattrocchi won Best Leading Actress for Gioia mia (Sweetheart), while Sergio Romano received Best Leading Actor for The Last One for the Road. In the supporting categories, Matilda De Angelis was awarded Best Supporting Actress for Fuori and Lino Musella took Best Supporting Actor for Nonostante. Taken together, these awards highlight a balance between established performers and actors consolidating their visibility, with De Angelis already familiar to international audiences from HBO’s The Undoing alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, and from recent global projects such as Citadel: Diana.
Among the special prizes, the David Special Award for Bruno Bozzetto brought renewed attention to the role of Italian animation. A director, illustrator and animator, Bozzetto is behind features such as West and Soda and Allegro non troppo, as well as a substantial body of work in advertising and science communication, including collaborations with science broadcaster Piero Angela. The award underlines how animation remains a strategic field for Italian audiovisual production.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Gianni Amelio reaffirmed the impact of his work on Italian auteur cinema. From Colpire al cuore through 1990s titles such as Il ladro di bambini, Lamerica and Così ridevano (Golden Lion in Venice), up to more recent films including Hammamet, Il signore delle formiche and Campo di battaglia, his films have consistently explored memory, social change and individual responsibility. The evening also paid tribute to Ornella Muti, a long‑standing reference figure for Italian cinema with strong international visibility.
Closing the night’s tributes, the Cinecittà Special Award went to Vittorio Storaro. The Rome‑born cinematographer, a three‑time Academy Award winner, has worked on films such as Apocalypse Now, Reds and The Last Emperor, collaborating with directors including Bernardo Bertolucci and Francis Ford Coppola. The new Teatro 23 thus provided the backdrop for a snapshot of an industry that continues to honor its established masters while supporting both emerging voices and established contemporary talent.
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Hollywood and the Big Screen: A Renewed Commitment
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The 71st David di Donatello Awards had one clear frontrunner from the moment nominations were announced: The Last One for the Road (Le città di pianura) by Francesco Sossai, which led the field with 16 nominations. The ceremony on May 6, broadcast live from Cinecittà’s new Teatro 23, confirmed the central role of The Last One for the Road, which counted Best Film, Best Director and Best Leading Actor among its awards. The event also showcased the upgraded technical capabilities of the new stage, designed to meet increasingly international production standards.
In the acting categories, the winners drew a clear map of the talent currently driving Italian cinema. Aurora Quattrocchi won Best Leading Actress for Gioia mia (Sweetheart), while Sergio Romano received Best Leading Actor for The Last One for the Road. In the supporting categories, Matilda De Angelis was awarded Best Supporting Actress for Fuori and Lino Musella took Best Supporting Actor for Nonostante. Taken together, these awards highlight a balance between established performers and actors consolidating their visibility, with De Angelis already familiar to international audiences from HBO’s The Undoing alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, and from recent global projects such as Citadel: Diana.
Among the special prizes, the David Special Award for Bruno Bozzetto brought renewed attention to the role of Italian animation. A director, illustrator and animator, Bozzetto is behind features such as West and Soda and Allegro non troppo, as well as a substantial body of work in advertising and science communication, including collaborations with science broadcaster Piero Angela. The award underlines how animation remains a strategic field for Italian audiovisual production.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Gianni Amelio reaffirmed the impact of his work on Italian auteur cinema. From Colpire al cuore through 1990s titles such as Il ladro di bambini, Lamerica and Così ridevano (Golden Lion in Venice), up to more recent films including Hammamet, Il signore delle formiche and Campo di battaglia, his films have consistently explored memory, social change and individual responsibility. The evening also paid tribute to Ornella Muti, a long‑standing reference figure for Italian cinema with strong international visibility.
Closing the night’s tributes, the Cinecittà Special Award went to Vittorio Storaro. The Rome‑born cinematographer, a three‑time Academy Award winner, has worked on films such as Apocalypse Now, Reds and The Last Emperor, collaborating with directors including Bernardo Bertolucci and Francis Ford Coppola. The new Teatro 23 thus provided the backdrop for a snapshot of an industry that continues to honor its established masters while supporting both emerging voices and established contemporary talent.
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Hollywood and the Big Screen: A Renewed CommitmentThe Vertical Drama Boom Begins to Attract Hollywood Talent
