The landmark 20th edition of the Rome Film Festival successfully concluded its run, having taken place from October 15 to October 26, 2025, at the stunning Auditorium Parco della Musica complex. This celebratory event once again underscored its vital role as an international launchpad for emerging cinematic talent, firmly establishing its significance on the global stage. Following eleven days of screenings and industry events, the focus shifted to the major accolades distributed at the closing ceremony.
The coveted top honor, the “Progressive Cinema” Award for Best Film, was bestowed upon the powerful Taiwanese-American drama, Left-Handed Girl. This compelling feature tells the poignant story of a single mother grappling with significant financial hardship and profound despair, resonating deeply with the jury. The film was helmed by Shi-Ching Tzou, who not only directed but also served as a co-writer and producer. She collaborated closely with her long-time partner, Sean Baker, who contributed as a co-writer, editor, and producer on the project, resulting in a critically acclaimed victory for the team.
The jury, expertly guided by President Paola Cortellesi, recognized several other outstanding achievements across the competitive sections, demonstrating the breadth of international talent on display. The award for Best Director went to Wang Tong for his striking picture, Chang ye jiang jin, a title translated for English audiences as Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts. Acting honors were also distributed to deserving recipients who delivered powerful performances. The highly regarded “Monica Vitti” Award for Best Actress was claimed by Jasmine Trinca for her compelling work in Gli occhi degli altri. Conversely, the “Vittorio Gassman” Award for Best Actor was secured by Anson Boon for his memorable role in the film Good Boy. A significant development this year was the debut presentation of the Best Documentary prize, underscoring the festival's commitment to non-fiction storytelling. This inaugural award was fittingly granted to Egor Troyanovsky for his insightful feature, Cuba and Alaska.
Beyond the competitive slate, the festival dedicated significant attention to honoring veterans who have profoundly shaped the global film industry. The prestigious “Achievement in the Industry” Honorary Award, a testament to decades of influence, was presented to the distinguished British-Irish producer, Lord David Puttnam. Furthermore, career achievement accolades were granted to two cinematic heavyweights whose bodies of work speak volumes: Richard Linklater and Jafar Panahi. Highlighting the future of cinema while acknowledging past accomplishments, Nia DaCosta received the “Progressive Recognition for Career Achievement” award, recognizing her substantial impact on contemporary filmmaking and paving the way for future generations of artists.
The milestone festival proved to be a massive draw for audiences and industry professionals alike. The celebratory showcase featured an impressive total of 436 showings, which included 198 films originating from 38 different nations participating in the program. The overall attendance figures were robust, tallying up to 116,503 people who participated in the event. The festival successfully kicked off with the screening of Riccardo Milani’s comedy, Life Goes This Way, and concluded its successful run with the highly anticipated presentation of the final episodes of Carlo Verdone’s television series, Vita da Carlo.