The main categories of the 2025 David di Donatello awards were dominated by Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio, with the director and her film receiving significant recognition. Elio Germano’s performance in Berlinguer and Tecna Insolia’s role in The Art of Joy also stood out, as did the supporting performances of Francesco Di Leva and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi in Familia and The Art of Joy, respectively.

The Award for Best Original Screenplay went to Maura Delpero for Vermiglio. In contrast, the Best Non-Original Screenplay went to Valeria Golino, Francesca Marciano, Luca Infascelli, Valia Santella, and Stefano Sardo for The Art of Joy. The David for Best Directorial Debut was presented by Mario Martone to Margherita Vicario for ‘Gloria!‘, who appealed to politicians: “Invest more in cinema and less in weapons“.

Luca Zingaretti presented the Award for Best Director to Maura Delpero for Vermiglio, marking a significant milestone as the first David for Director to go to a woman. This moment resonates with the ongoing push for gender equality in the film industry.

The Best Production Design went to Tonino Zera, Mariagrazia Schirripa, and Carlotta Desmann for The Last Days of Marie Antoinette. The Best Costume Design went to Massimo Cantini Parrini for The Last Days of Marie Antoinette. Vermiglio also gets the Award for Best Cinematography to Mikhail Krichman. Best editing goes to Jacopo Quadri for Berlinguer, while best short film goes to Domenico Tortone for ‘Domenica sera‘. Best documentary, Cecilia Mangini Award, to Lirica Ucraina by Francesca Mannocchi.

The best original song is Aria by Margherita Vicario and Davide Pavanello, who also won the best composer award. Dana Farzanehpour’s Vermiglio has the best sound, while Victor Perez’s Naples-New York has the best visual effects.

For The Last Days of Marie Antoinette, Alessandra Vita and Valentina Visintin won best makeup. Aldo SiAwardtti and Domingo Santoro won best hairstyle. For the first time, David was awarded Best Casting, which went to Stefania Rodà and Maurilio Mangano for Vermiglio, and the Best Producer award.

The David dello spettacolo, given the million viewers award, went to Diamanti. Mara Venier presented the award. The David Giovani goes to the Award, Naples-New York by Gabriele Salvatores, who was absent from the awards ceremony. Pier Francesco Favino took the stage in his place. The best international film went to Anora.

Guests of the evening

Among the evening’s guests were Monica Bellucci, who claimed her Italian passport and presented Giuseppe Tornatore with the Cinecittà David Award. There was great anticipation for Timothée Chalamet, who, in ‘Call Me by Your Name, ‘ spoke in Italian and learned to play the guitar. The actor received the David Speciale, a testament to the film’s impact and dedication, and explained his relationship with Italy.