The 71st edition of the David di Donatello Awards concluded last night at Cinecittà, in the new Teatro 23, with a ceremony hosted for the first time by the duo Flavio Insinna and Bianca Balti. The evening was dominated by The cities of the plain by Francesco Sossai, winner of eight awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
The surprise of the evening: Sorrentino at zero
The biggest twist wasn't who won, but who lost. The Grace Paolo Sorrentino's The Last Jedi, which had fourteen nominations, left Cinecittà empty-handed. This result was unexpected and has already sparked debate among fans and industry insiders.
The winner was Francesco Sossai, a 35-year-old Venetian director, with a thoughtful, poetic film, far from the mainstream spotlight. This victory speaks volumes about the health of Italian auteur cinema.
The winners category by category
Best film The cities of the plain by Francesco Sossai Best director — Francesco Sossai (The cities of the plain) Best original screenplay — Francesco Sossai and Adriano Candiago (The cities of the plain) Best non-original script — Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini and others (The tasters) Best Actor — Sergio Romano (The cities of the plain) Best Leading Actress — Aurora Quattrocchi (Gioia mia) Best Supporting Actor — Lino Musella (Despite) Best Supporting Actress — Matilda De Angelis (Out) Best directorial debut — Margherita Spampinato (Gioia mia) Best Editing - The cities of the plain , Best song - The cities of the plain, Best casting – The cities of the plain, Best photography — Paolo Carnera (The Forbidden City) Best International Film One battle after another by Paul Thomas Anderson Best composer Spring by Damiano Michieletto Best costumes Spring Best makeup The tasters David Young The tasters by Silvio Soldini David of the Spectator Buen Camino (Checco Zalone) David for Lifetime Achievement — Gianni Amelio David Special — Ornella Muti Cinecittà Special Award 71 — Vittorio Storaro
Special awards: standing ovation for Storaro
The most emotional part of the evening was the special awards ceremony. Vittorio Storaro, 85, has won three Oscars for Apocalypse Now, Reds e The last emperor, received the Cinecittà 71 Special Award to a standing ovation. The David for Lifetime Achievement went to Gianni Amelio, and the Special David to Ornella Muti.
