Gianni Amelio received the Best Film award for Il signore delle formiche, Tommaso Ragno won Best Actor for his performances in Ti mangio il cuore and Siccità, Paolo Virzì and Aurora Quattrocchi received lifetime achievement awards. Ricky Tognazzi and Giuseppe Tornatore received special awards for their documentaries on the 100th anniversary of his father Ugo’s birth and for Ennio. These were some of the awards presented during the Starlight International Cinema Award ceremony, in a packed hall with the presence of Biennale Cinema Artistic Director Alberto Barbera. “I dedicate this award,” Ragno commented, “to all the people who taught me so much and thanks to whom I became convinced I could do this work. Cinema is a collective process and I was lucky.” Paolo Virzì made the most ironic comment. “I’m bringing Siccità to the Lagoon, but they told me it should rain.” The director, who had just landed at the Lido, arrived at the awards ceremony smiling, laden with applause, the same applause the room gave to Gianni Amelio, who was happy to receive the award for Best Film. Giuseppe Tornatore sent a video greeting to the Venice audience. “Ennio’s life began last year in Venice. Receiving this award is a double source of pride for me.” A different pride for Ricky Tognazzi, author of La voglia matta di vivere, dedicated to his father. “This award goes to Ugo,” he admitted, “Making this doc allowed me to get to know him better. Special award for news headlines to Ciak, whose party, supported by sponsors such as Campari and Pata, was attended last night by most Starlight award winners. Tomorrow’s issue will have all the details.
The Starlight International Cinema Award also went to realities engaged in social work. The Starlight award is produced by Zaccaria Comm. and Francesca Rettondini’s Sileo Prod. with Apei – Ambassadors Pastry Chefs of Italian Excellence, chaired by chef Iginio Massari. Tangoo, the digital media partner, chose to present the Tangoo Prize for Cinema, created by Rosa Mundi, among the artists selected for the Venice Art Biennale 2022.
