The Women in Cinema Award returns to the Venice Film Festival Among the winners Patty Pravo, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Sofia Raffaeli. Claudia Conte: “This edition is dedicated to all the children who suffer from war thanks to the special collaboration with UNICEF”
The eagerly awaited IX Edition will be held on 3 September at the Italian Pavilion of the famous Hotel Excelsior in Venice Lido of Women in Cinema Award, a recognition created with the aim of enhancing and paying homage to the talent of women.
Testimonial, producer and curator of the Award, the journalist and presenter Claudia Conte. Wica is created with the support of the Ministry of Culture and with the patronage of Rai for Sustainability and this year boasts the collaboration with UNICEF which turns 50. Every year WICA has a special dedication to social issues – comments Conte who continues: given the climate of war and destruction that reigns in the world, this edition is dedicated to girls and boys in a state of suffering, victims of wars, poverty, repression and there will be a large space dedicated to solidarity.”
The WiCA for Social Affairs 2024 will be awarded to the President of UNICEF Carmela Pace for promoting children’s rights with dedication and tenacity and to the actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno for her commitment to UNICEF. Furthermore, together with the Director General Paolo Rozera we will also give space to Afghanistan, where after the arrival of the Taliban on 15 August 2021 human rights are trampled upon and denied on a daily basis, especially to women. My Afghan sister, the activist Zahra Hamadi, will also be present for an emotional testimony. Also collecting the statuette this year will be Sofia Raffaeli, a young gymnast from the Fiamme Oro of the State Police, fresh from the Paris Olympics where she won the bronze medal. This recognition celebrates not only Sofia’s exceptional victories, a symbol of excellence and determination, but also the commitment of the Fiamme Oro Sports Group chaired by Francesco Montini, in promoting sport and social activities. Patty Pravo will be awarded the Women in Cinema Award and will announce a new and important project in which she will star together with Eagle Pictures.
The international prizes will be awarded to directors Andrew Haig and Agnieszka Holland, while the prize for journalism will go to Laura Delli Colli, President of the National Union of Film Journalists. Wica’s prizes will be awarded by the creators Angela Prudenzi, Claudia Conte and Cristina Scognamillo and a qualified female Academy made up of excellent writers of Italian journalism. «Women in Cinema Award represents an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the talent and commitment of women in the cultural and social world. Congratulations to all the winners, their example is a beacon of hope and inspiration for the new generations. It is important to support initiatives like this which, through art and culture, promote fundamental values such as equality, solidarity and respect for human rights. I am particularly pleased to see the involvement of UNICEF Italy and the dedication to children in suffering, a gesture that underlines how crucial it is to work together for a better future, starting from symbolic places like Venice.” These are the words of Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region.