Danish filmmaker May el-Toukhy’s post-war drama Woman Unknown won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on September 12, 2026. In a rare double victory, the film’s star, Mathilde Arcel, also claimed the Volpi Cup for best actress at the festival closing ceremony.
Woman Unknown Claims Golden Lion and Best Actress in Rare Venice Double
Set against the backdrop of a newly liberated Denmark following World War II, the film follows a housemaid whose past relationship with a German soldier threatens to destroy her future. The narrative highlights a historical period when women accused of fraternizing with occupying German forces frequently faced vigilante justice.
Accepting the award, el-Toukhy noted the personal significance of her work. To me personally, ‘Woman Unknown’ is about the female body as a battleground and a public matter. And at the same time, the film tells the tale of women who are invisible, unseen and voiceless,
el-Toukhy said in her acceptance speech. Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal explained that the jury was able to make an exception to usual festival practices and award both top prizes to the same film because the vote for Arcel was unanimous.
Gender Disparities and Industry Hurdles
Prior to its late addition, el-Toukhy’s feature was notable for being the sole film in the 21-film main competition lineup directed by a woman. This gender disparity drew criticism throughout the event, renewing scrutiny regarding the barriers female filmmakers encounter in the cinema industry.
El-Toukhy pointed out that women filmmakers continue to confront greater difficulties in securing financing, which restricts budgets, casting opportunities, and access to major festivals. Gyllenhaal echoed these concerns, telling reporters that female directors often struggle to secure funding because the stories they wish to tell are not perceived as important. Meanwhile, festival director Alberto Barbera defended the male-dominated lineup, insisting that selection choices were based on artistic merit rather than quotas, while urging the industry to do more to assist women in breaking into the business.
Additional Major Venice Winners
Several other international films and artists earned recognition across the festival’s competitive categories:
* Golden Lion: Woman Unknown directed by May el-Toukhy * Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize: Possible Love directed by Lee Chang-dong * Silver Lion for Best Director: Ilya Khrzhanovsky for DAU * Special Jury Prize: NAZA directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor * Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Mathilde Arcel for Woman Unknown * Volpi Cup for Best Actor: John Malkovich for Wild Horse Nine
South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong secured the runner-up Silver Lion award for Possible Love. Russian-born filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky won best director for DAU, a project shot largely in Ukraine before the ongoing war, and dedicated his prize to Ukraine. John Malkovich was named best actor for his role as an aging CIA agent in Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine, accepting the honor via video link from Canada.
Political Undertones Shape the Festival Programme
The Venice festival functioned as the traditional kickoff for the awards season, though many studio-backed contenders were absent as Hollywood reassesses marketing expenses and cost-cutting measures. In place of traditional studio fare, the festival offered a program deeply engaged with global politics and social upheaval.
The Special Jury Prize was awarded to NAZA, a documentary by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Based on anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers, the film accuses the Israeli military of routinely approving mass civilian deaths when targeting militants in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has denied the charges.
