News from Italy
David di Donatello 2026:
Total Triumph for Le città di pianura
The 71st edition of the David di Donatello Awards concluded with a triumphant night for Le città di pianura by Francesco Sossai, which won a total of 8 David awards out of 16 nominations.
The film took home the ceremony’s top honours, including Best Film and Best Director, along with awards for Production, Original Screenplay, Best Leading Actor (Sergio Romano), Casting, Original Song, and Editing, earning 8 David awards overall from its 16 nominations.
The film tells the story of two drinking companions who chase the legend of a treasure hidden by their friend, Genio. During their journey, they are joined by a young architect searching for personal direction, creating a path of self-discovery and confrontation with the past.
Primavera won four statuettes, while Le assaggiatrici and La città proibita each received three awards. Gioia mia earned two awards, while single honors went to Buen Camino, Everyday in Gaza, Fuori, Nonostante, Roberto Rossellini – Più di una vita, and One Battle After Another (Una battaglia dopo l’altra).
Aurora Quattrocchi won Best Leading Actress for Gioia mia, while Sergio Romano took Best Leading Actor for Le città di pianura. Matilda De Angelis triumphed as Best Supporting Actress for Fuori, and Lino Musella won Best Supporting Actor for Nonostante. Meanwhile, La città proibita won awards for Production Design and Cinematography.
The award for Best International Film went to One Battle After Another by Paul Thomas Anderson. Additional recognition also went to Le città di pianura, Le assaggiatrici, and Margherita Spampinato, who won the David Award for Best Debut Director for Gioia mia.
During the evening, the Career Achievement David Award was presented to director Gianni Amelio, the Special David Award to Bruno Bozzetto, and the Cinecittà David 71 Special Prize to Vittorio Storaro.
This year’s edition celebrated auteur cinema, documentaries, emerging talents, and stories with strong social and international impact.
All David di Donatello 2026 Winners
Best Film: Le città di pianura by Francesco Sossai
Best Director: Francesco Sossai – Le città di pianura
Best Debut Director: Margherita Spampinato – Gioia mia
Best Producer: Marta Donzelli and Gregorio Paonessa for Vivo Film, in collaboration with Philipp Kreuzer for Maze Pictures and Cecilia Trautvetter – Le città di pianura
Best Original Screenplay: Francesco Sossai and Adriano Candiago – Le città di pianura
Best Adapted Screenplay: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini, Lucio Ricca, Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, and Ilaria Macchia – Le assaggiatrici
Best Leading Actress: Aurora Quattrocchi – Gioia mia
Best Leading Actor: Sergio Romano – Le città di pianura
Best Supporting Actress: Matilda De Angelis – Fuori
Best Supporting Actor: Lino Musella – Nonostante
Best Cinematography: Paolo Carnera – La città proibita
Best Casting: Adriano Candiago – Le città di pianura
Best Editing: Paolo Cottignola – Le città di pianura
Best Composer: Fabio Massimo Capogrosso – Primavera
Best Original Song: Ti (music, lyrics, and performance by Krano) – Le città di pianura
Best Production Design: Andrea Castorina and Marco Martucci – La città proibita
Best Sound: Gianluca Scarlata, Davide Favargiotti, Daniele Quadroli, and Nadia Paone – Primavera
Best Makeup: Esmé Sciaroni – Le assaggiatrici
Best Costume Design: Maria Rita Barbera and Gaia Calderone – Primavera
Best Hairstyling: Marta Iacoponi – Primavera
Best Visual Effects: Stefano Leoni and Andrea Lo Priore – La città proibita
Best Documentary – Cecilia Mangini Award: Roberto Rossellini – Più di una vita by Ilaria De Laurentiis, Andrea Paolo Massara, and Raffaele Brunetti
Best Short Film: Everyday in Gaza by Omar Rammal
David Giovani Award: Le assaggiatrici by Silvio Soldini