Against the elegant backdrop of the Sala degli Stucchi at the Hotel Excelsior, the 8th annual Filming Italy Venice Award brought together international film, fashion and entertainment figures during the Venice International Film Festival, celebrating established artistry, emerging voices and women’s growing influence across the global audiovisual landscape.
Created and founded by producer and cultural entrepreneur Tiziana Rocca, the Filming Italy Venice Award has become a signature event on the festival calendar. This year’s ceremony honored actor Orlando Bloom and supermodel, actress and entrepreneur Irina Shayk, while actress Clara McGregor served as the evening’s ambassador.
(Photo by Daniele Venturelli)
The ceremony reflected Rocca’s long-standing relationship with Venice and its international film community. Over the years, she has produced high-profile events associated with the festival, welcoming celebrated names including Woody Allen, Meryl Streep, Sylvester Stallone and George Clooney. That enduring connection to the world’s oldest film festival inspired Rocca to establish an award platform that recognizes not only cinematic achievement, but also the cultural power, global reach and evolving inclusivity of the screen industries.
“It is an event that draws film enthusiasts’ attention to the artistic dimension and cultural value of cinema in all its forms,” Rocca said. “The event also celebrates the talent, creativity, and extraordinary strength of women in the film industry.”
Rocca added that what began as an initiative spotlighting major figures in the audiovisual world has expanded into one of the most anticipated side events of the Venice International Film Festival, with a mission rooted in excellence, visibility and the discovery of new talent.
Bloom was recognized for a body of work defined by enduring screen presence, versatility and a rare ability to connect with audiences worldwide. Across a career that has included some of modern cinema’s most recognizable franchise roles as well as dramatic and independent projects, Bloom has created characters that remain embedded in popular culture.
Rocca described the actor as a performer whose charisma and elegance have made him an international favorite.
“This year at the Filming Italy Venice Award, we honored actor Orlando Bloom—a performer of extraordinary charisma capable of captivating audiences worldwide with elegance, talent, and versatility,” she said. “Over the course of his career, he has brought to life iconic characters that have entered the collective imagination.”
The recognition also underscored the award’s broader commitment to honoring artists whose work has helped shape cinema’s international conversation, from major studio storytelling to distinctive contemporary voices.
Irina Shayk received the Filming Italy Venice International Award, recognizing her international influence and her ability to move fluidly between fashion, media and screen culture. One of the world’s most visible and influential fashion figures, Shayk has built a career marked by discipline, reinvention and a distinct personal style that has resonated across global audiences.
In honoring Shayk, Rocca emphasized the award’s continuing commitment to celebrating women whose creative achievements and professional leadership extend beyond a single discipline.
“Irina perfectly embodies the ability to translate talent and personal image into a universal language,” Rocca said. “Her career stands as a model of determination, professionalism, and a remarkable capacity for continuous reinvention, all while preserving a strong personal identity.”
Rocca noted that Shayk has navigated the worlds of fashion and film with confidence and individuality, making her an especially fitting recipient for an award dedicated to talent, creativity and female empowerment.
Actress Clara McGregor brought a fresh generational perspective to the ceremony as ambassador of the 8th Filming Italy Venice Award. Her presence aligned with Rocca’s continued focus on supporting the next wave of performers, filmmakers and creative professionals entering the international industry.
Italian actress Letizia Arnò was named godmother, or madrina, of the edition, adding another prominent female voice to an evening centered on visibility, leadership and artistic exchange.
The 2026 ceremony also recognized a diverse group of honorees, including Malcolm McRae, Akinola Davies Jr. and acclaimed French actress Emmanuelle Béart. Together, the selections represented the event’s cross-generational and international outlook, honoring artists at different stages of their careers and from varied corners of the creative world.
While the Venice International Film Festival remains a global standard-bearer for cinematic art, the Filming Italy Venice Award has carved out its own role as a platform for honoring talent, championing diversity and creating conversation around the cultural importance of film.
Rocca’s vision is closely connected to her broader Filming Italy initiatives, including Filming Italy Sardegna and Filming Italy Los Angeles, the latter of which helps create a bridge between Italian creative excellence and the U.S. entertainment industry.
Each year, the award renews that mission by bringing established international names together with new and emerging talent. The result is an event that looks beyond celebrity to recognize the connective power of cinema: its ability to preserve artistic tradition, embrace innovation and give greater visibility to women and the next generation of creators.
