Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ Wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival

Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” took home the top prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, the Golden Lion for Best Film.

The film is a semi-autobiographical black-and-white film chronicling a year in the life of a middle-class family in Mexico City in the early 1970s.

“Roma,” produced and financed by Participant, will be distributed by Netflix.

David Linde, CEO of Participant Media and Executive Producer of “Roma,” said, “Working with Alfonso on ‘Roma’ has already been an amazing journey for everyone at Participant, and we are beyond thrilled that his brilliant film has been honored with the Golden Lion. This film is a gift to all audiences, transcending language and cultural barriers and inspiring compassion across the globe.”

The drama, which the streaming giant plans to release theatrically as well, was the choice of a Venice jury led by another Mexican filmmaker, “The Shape of Water” director Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro’s film won the prize last year before going on to win the Academy Award for best picture.

Here is the full list of winners:

VENICE 75 AWARDS

Golden Lion: “Roma,” Alfonso Cuaron

Grand Jury Prize: “The Favourite,” Yorgos Lanthimos

Best Director: Jacques Audiard, “The Sisters Brothers”

Best Actress: Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”

Best Actor: Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

Best Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

Special Jury Prize: “The Nightingale,” Jennifer Kent

Marcello Mastroianni Award: Baykali Ganambarr for “The Nightingale,” directed by Jennifer Kent

HORIZONS AWARD

Best Film: “Kraben Rahu,” Phuttiphong Aroonpheng

Best Director: Emir Baigazin, “Ozen”

Special Jury Prize: “Anons,” Mahmut Fazil Coskun

Best Actress: Natalya Kudryashova, “The Man Who Surprised Everyone”

Best Actor: Kais Nashif, “Tel Aviv on Fire”

Best Screenplay: “Jinpa,” Pema Tseden

LION OF THE FUTURE

Luigi De Laurentiis Award for best Debut Film: “The Day I Lost My Shadow,” Soudade Kaadan

VENICE CLASSICS

Best Documentary on Cinema: “The Great Buster: A Celebration,” Peter Bogdanovich

Best Restored Film: “The Night of the Shooting Stars,” Paolo and Vittorio Taviani

VENICE VR

Best VR Film: “Spheres,” Eliza McNitt

Best VR Experience Award: “Buddy VR,” Chuck Chae

Best VR Story Award: “I’iIe des morts,” Benjamin Nuel

Read original story Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ Wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival At TheWrap