2023 David Di Donatello Awards: A Celebration of Italian Cinema
Paolo Sorrentino’s visually stunning Parthenope, a surreal homage to Naples, and Andre Segre’s politically charged biopic, The Great Ambition, lead the nominations for this year’s David Di Donatello awards, Italy’s prestigious equivalent of the Oscars. Both films garnered 15 nominations each, including coveted spots in the Best Film and Best Director categories.
Competing in the Best Film category alongside Parthenope and The Great Ambition are Maura Delpero’s WWII drama Vermiglio and Valeria Golino and Nicolangelo Gelormini’s L’arte della gioia (The Art of Joy), each receiving 14 nominations. Francesca Comencini’s The Time It Takes follows with 4 nominations. Notable mentions also include Margherita Vicario’s debut film Gloria!, focusing on women musicians in early-1800s Italy, which scored 9 nominations, and Francesco Costabile’s crime thriller Familia with 8 nominations.
International Contenders
In the Best International Film category, audiences will see fierce competition with Sean Baker’s multi-Oscar winner Anora going head-to-head with Edward Berger’s Conclave, Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2, Jonathan Glazer’s potential 2024 Oscar winner The Zone of Interest, and Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days.
A Night of Recognition
The 70th edition of the David Di Donatello awards is set to take place at the famed Cinecittà film studios in Rome on May 7. This prestigious event will honor the best of Italian cinema from the past year.
Key Categories and Nominees
Best Film
- The Great Ambition, directed by Andrea Segre
- The Time It Takes, directed by Francesca Comencini
- L’arte della gioia, produced and directed by Valeria Golino
- Parthenope, directed by Paolo Sorrentino
- Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero
Best Director
- Andrea Segre for The Great Ambition
- Francesca Comencini for The Time It Takes
- Valeria Golino for L’arte della gioia
- Paolo Sorrentino for Parthenope
- Maura Delpero for Vermiglio
Best Directorial Debut
- Ciao bambino, Edgardo Pistone
- Gloria!, Margherita Vicario
- I bambini di Gaza, Loris Lai
- Io e il Secco, Gianluca Santoni
- Zamora, Neri Marcorè
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Gianni Amelio, Alberto Taraglio for Battlefield
- Francesco Costabile, Vittorio Moroni, Adriano Chiarelli for Familia
- Roberto Proia for The Boy with Pink Trousers
- Valeria Golino et al. for L’arte della gioia
- Gabriele Salvatores for Napoli – New York
Best Original Song
- “Knife Edge” – Music by Thom Yorke for Trust
- “Diamanti” – Music by Giuliano Taviani, text by Giorgia Todrani for Diamanti
- “Atoms” – Music and text by Valerio Vigliar for Familia
- “Aria!” – Music and text by Margherita Vicario et al. for Gloria!
- “La malvagità” – Music and text by Colapesce for The Sicilian Letters
Best Documentary
- Duse – The Greatest, directed by Sonia Bergamasco
- The Secret Drawer, directed by Costanza Quatriglio
- L’occhio della gallina, directed by Antonietta De Lillo
- Lirica Ucraina, directed by Francesca Mannocchi
- Prima della fine – Gli ultimi giorni di Enrico Berlinguer, directed by Samuele Rossi
Conclusion
The David Di Donatello Awards promise to be a momentous occasion, celebrating the remarkable talent and creativity that thrives within the Italian film industry. As these films compete for recognition, audiences can expect to witness a night filled with glamour, artistry, and inspiration.