'Vermiglio' Triumphs at Italy's 70th David di Donatello Awards, Women Filmmakers Make History

The 70th David di Donatello Awards, Italy's premier film honors equivalent to the Oscars, saw a historic moment for women in Italian cinema as Maura Delpero's war drama "Vermiglio" dominated the ceremony held at Rome's Cinecittà Studios.

Delpero made history as the first woman to win Best Director and only the third female filmmaker to claim the Best Film prize in the awards' seven-decade history. "Vermiglio" emerged as the night's biggest winner, collecting seven trophies in total, including the top honors for Best Film and Best Director.

The acting categories further highlighted the strong female presence, with newcomer Tecla Insolia winning Best Actress, while Elio Germano took home the Best Actor award. Other women-directed films also secured major recognition, with Valeria Golino's "The Art of Joy" and Margherita Vicario's "Gloria!" earning significant awards.

Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet received a Special David Award for Cinematic Excellence at the ceremony, while American filmmaker Sean Baker's "Anora" was also recognized among the international selections.

The ceremony marked a significant shift in Italian cinema, celebrating female talent both behind and in front of the camera in unprecedented numbers, signaling what many hope represents a lasting change in the industry's gender dynamics.