The eighth edition of the Filming Italy Venice Award took place on September 6 at the Hotel Excelsior in Venice, bringing together international and Italian talent during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Created and directed by Tiziana Rocca, the award has established itself as an appointment dedicated to artistic excellence, creativity and the growing role of women in the audiovisual industry. This year’s edition also placed a strong emphasis on emerging talent and on creating connections between Italian cinema and the international film community.

Following the event, Rocca reflected on the meaning of this eighth edition, the artists celebrated and the future of Filming Italy.

The eighth edition of the Filming Italy Venice Award took place last night. Looking back at the evening, what did this edition represent for you?

Tiziana Rocca:
This eighth edition was particularly meaningful because, over the years, the Filming Italy Venice Award has developed a recognizable identity and has become an increasingly anticipated moment during the Venice Film Festival.

When we started, our goal was very clear: to celebrate talent, creativity and the artistic and cultural value of cinema, with particular attention to women and their contribution to the audiovisual industry.

Last night was a celebration of all these values. It was also an opportunity to bring together established international figures and new generations of artists. I was very happy to see how the award continued to grow while maintaining its original spirit.

Venice has always been an important part of my professional journey. I have worked in connection with the Festival for many years, and I am grateful to Alberto Barbera for having attended and supported the award over the years.

Clara McGregor served as ambassador of this edition. What did you see in her that made her the right person for this role?

Tiziana Rocca:
Clara represented exactly the qualities I wanted to highlight this year: freshness, sensitivity, authenticity and emotional depth.

She has a natural approach to acting and an artistic personality that goes beyond appearances. Her work in projects such as American Horror Story, The Birthday Cake, Bleeding Love and Running on Empty, directed by Daniel André, demonstrated her versatility and her ability to approach complex emotions.

For me, choosing an ambassador is never simply about selecting a recognizable name. It is about identifying an artist who represents the values of the award. Clara embodied that spirit very naturally.

You have often spoken about the importance of recognizing artists beyond their family names. Why is this particularly important when supporting emerging talent?

Tiziana Rocca:
A surname can create visibility, but artistic value has to be earned. Talent, preparation, dedication and personality are what ultimately build an artist's career.

This is one of the principles behind the projects connected to Filming Italy. At the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, for example, we have created opportunities for young filmmakers through the short-film competition. The winning film receives distribution on the Rai Cinema Channel and enters the official Filming Italy Los Angeles program.

We have also developed agreements with training institutions to give young professionals access to opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.

I strongly believe that festivals should not only celebrate established stars. They should also help create the stars of tomorrow.

Women and female talent have always been central to your work. After this edition, do you feel that the industry is finally changing?

Tiziana Rocca:
There has certainly been progress, but I would not say that the transformation is yet structural.

Women have achieved greater visibility and are increasingly present in important creative and professional positions, but there is still a need for more opportunities and more representation.

That is why an award such as the Filming Italy Venice Award remains important. It can serve as a beacon for parity and as a platform for actresses, directors, screenwriters, producers and other professionals whose voices deserve to be heard.

For me, celebrating women means not only recognizing those who have already achieved success, but also creating opportunities for the generations that are coming next.

Filming Italy has created a connection between Venice, Sardinia and Los Angeles. After this year’s award, what is the next step for this international vision?

Tiziana Rocca:
The connection between these three places is one of the central ideas behind Filming Italy.

Venice represents one of the world's most important international stages for cinema. Sardinia has become a place where we can bring together established artists, productions and emerging talent while promoting the territory. Los Angeles allows us to strengthen the dialogue with Hollywood and introduce Italian cinema and talent to an international audience.

For me, Filming Italy is a bridge between cultures. It is not simply about bringing international stars to Italy. It is about creating relationships, exchanging experiences and giving artists the opportunity to connect with audiences beyond their own countries.

The eighth edition reinforced this vision. If I had to describe the spirit of this year’s award in three words, I would choose authenticity, innovation and new beginnings.

The future of cinema depends on the ability to recognize talent, support new voices and create opportunities for stories that can speak to audiences around the world.