Major Takeaways:
Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother” earned the festival’s top prize, beating out heavily favored contenders.
Standout performances included Xin Zhilei winning best actress and Toni Servillo winning best actor.
The festival spotlighted global voices, honoring films addressing themes from family ties to war and migration.
Venice Film Festival 2025: Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother” Wins Top Prize
At the 2025 Venice Film Festival, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch pulled off an upset with his latest project, Father Mother Sister Brother. The quietly humorous family drama, starring Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Cate Blanchett, claimed the festival’s top honor, surpassing several heavily favored entries.
The film explores the delicate and often complicated ties between siblings and their parents, earning praise for its understated storytelling. In his acceptance speech, Jarmusch reflected on the recognition: “All of us here who make films are not motivated by competition. But I truly appreciate this unexpected honor.”
The runner-up award went to The Voice of Hind Rajab, while Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice left without a win despite strong buzz leading into the festival.
The awards extended beyond Jarmusch’s win, highlighting standout global talent. Chinese actor Xin Zhilei was named best actress for her role in The Sun Rises on Us All, a Guangzhou-set story about a love triangle in the world of sweatshops. Italian actor Toni Servillo won best actor for his portrayal of a president at the end of his term in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia.
The special jury prize was awarded to Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi for his lyrical Naples documentary Below the Clouds. Rising talent was also celebrated, with Swiss actor Luna Wedler receiving the Marcello Mastroianni Award for young performers for her work in Silent Friend, a poetic story centered on a ginkgo tree in a German university town.
This year’s main competition jury, led by Nebraska director Alexander Payne, included artists and filmmakers from across the globe, selecting a wide-ranging slate of winners. Their choices spotlighted diversity not only in geography but also in themes—from family relationships to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
The festival’s horizons sidebar, overseen by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, recognized new voices in world cinema. David Pablos’ En El Camino, a look at Mexico’s long-haul trucking industry, won best film in the section. Indian director Anuparna Roy earned best director for Songs of Forgotten Trees, a debut feature following two migrant women in Mumbai. In her speech, Roy turned attention to Gaza, dedicating part of her remarks to the humanitarian crisis there.
With Jarmusch’s unexpected win and a diverse collection of films and voices celebrated, this year’s Venice Film Festival proved once again why it remains one of the most influential showcases of international cinema.
