Dispatches from the Venice Film Festival: Exclusive-The Kinéo Awards

The Kinéo Movie Diamond Award rewards the best in Italian movie production. The prizes are assigned by the public and by a jury of excellent personalities in the world of cinema art and business, according to a criterion combining artistic quality, success and potential diffusion in the international market.

The Award was established in 2002 through the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, in Italy, to promote the Italian film industry, and intended to be celebrated each year at the Venice Film Festival. It is promoted by the Kinéo Cultural Association chaired by Rosetta Sannelli who conceived the project and is produced by Agnus Dei Production of Tiziana Rocca who is also the General Director. Premio Kinéo is the only recognition voted by the spectators of cinemas together with ANEC (European consumer voice in standardization) and the great audience of cinephiles.

This 16th edition of Premio Kinéo celebrated the 50th anniversary of the world change that has been occurring at the time of the 1968 movement in Italy. The Award ceremony took place, on September 2nd, during gala dinner in the enchanting Hotel Ca’ Sagredo — a unique place in the heart of Venice, within the walls of a splendid 14th century Byzantine-Gothic palazzo.

The location was glorified by the beautiful installation of the last Art Biennale, by Lorenzo Quinn. A sculpture representing two gigantic hands emerges from the grand canal in the attempt to support the building. The installation, that aims to make a statement on the effects of global warming, exposes the fragility of our built and natural environment and its susceptibility to the forces of nature and man. The artistic message of preserving beauty,   was the perfect match with the awards gala that rewards the “gems” of motion pictures.

The exclusive evening — sponsored by Mastercard, San Pellegrino and Salvatore Ferragamo Parfums — was hosted by actresses Annabelle Belmondo and Stella Egitto, whilst the young and talented Chef Damiano Bassano delighted the finest palates, with a cuisine of traditional Italian flavors combined with unique touches.

These are the winners:

Best Drama – La ragazza nella nebbia by Donato Carrisi

Best Comedy – Come un gatto in tangenziale by Riccardo Milani

Best First Feature – Easy – Un viaggio facile facile by Andrea Magnani

Best Director – Carlo Verdone for Benedetta Follia

Best Actor In A Leading Role – Alessio Boni for La ragazza nella nebbia

Best Actress In A Leading Role – Ilenia Pastorelli for Benedetta Follia

Best Supporting Actor – Gianmarco Tognazzi for A casa tutti bene

Best Supporting Actress – Matilda De Angelis for Il premio  

Audience and Critics Award – Dogman by Matteo Garrone

Best Actress Honorary Award – Paola Cortellesi  

Best Song – Serena Rossi for Ammore e malavita  

Best Italian Talent of the Year  – Stefania Rocca

Best International Talent of the Year – Blanca Suarez

Best International TV Series – Annabel Schoely for Britannia

Best International TV Series –  Liv Liza Fries for Babylon Berlin

Kinéo – Best Distribution to Luigi Lonigro

Kinéo CSC and Ferragamo Parfums – Best Emerging Italian Actor to Beatrice Arnera

Kinéo CSC and Mastercard – Best Young Talent to Marina Occhionero

Kinéo CSC and S. Pellegrino – Young International Talents Movie Award to Annabelle Belmondo

Kinéo CSC – Best Promising Actress to Eleonora Belcamino

Kinéo CSC – Best Promising Actor to Romano Reggiani

Kinéo – Best Socially Relevant Documentary to Paolo Ruffini

Kinéo Anica – Best Film Made In China – The Road not Taken by Tang Gaopeng

Kinéo  – Award to Fondazione CSC – Cineteca Nazionale per la conservazione del patrimonio filmico italiano