Woman Unknown Wins Venice Golden Lion as NAZA Takes Jury Prize 2026

Woman Unknown has won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, while the Gaza documentary NAZA took home the special jury prize. The awards ceremony celebrated a diverse range of cinematic achievements, with May el-Toukhy's film emerging as the standout winner.

Woman Unknown Triumphs at Venice Film Festival

May el-Toukhy's Woman Unknown has scooped the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, at an awards ceremony that also saw the Gaza documentary NAZA win the jury prize. Set in the immediate aftermath of Danish liberation from Nazi occupation, the Egyptian-Danish director's film tells the story of a young housemaid, Marie (Mathilde Arcel), who is about to marry her widowed employer but anxious about him discovering a shameful secret in her past: during the war, Marie had an intimate relationship with a German soldier.

Critical Acclaim and Comparisons

The Guardian's film critic hailed Woman Unknown as "elegantly appointed" in his review, likening it to Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca. Arcel also won the festival's best actress prize, the Volpi Cup. In an emotional acceptance speech, El-Toukhy thanked the jury president, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who had addressed the underrepresentation of female film-makers at the start of the festival. Woman Unknown was the only film in competition to be solely directed by a woman.

NAZA Wins Special Jury Prize

The Gaza documentary NAZA won the special jury prize, adding to the festival's recognition of powerful storytelling. The film provides a poignant look at life in Gaza, resonating with audiences and critics alike.

Other Notable Winners

The runner-up grand jury prize went to the Korean director Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love, a simmering tale of an unha... [truncated for brevity]

Key Takeaways from Venice Film Festival 2025

• Woman Unknown won the Golden Lion, marking a significant achievement for female directors.
• NAZA, a documentary about Gaza, received the special jury prize.
• Mathilde Arcel won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in Woman Unknown.
• The festival highlighted the underrepresentation of female film-makers, with only one female-directed film in competition.

Comparison of Major Award Winners

FAQ

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of shorts men, balls seniors, irons seniors, driver beginners, and rangefinder money. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of shoes walking, hybrid clubs, clubs beginners, clubs seniors, and shirts men. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.