Venice, September 6, 2025. The SIGNIS Jury at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival has awarded its prize to Elisa, directed by Leonardo Di Costanzo (Italy–Switzerland), for its clear-eyed exploration of conscience and reconciliation. The festival ran from August 27 to September 6, 2025.
In its motivation, the SIGNIS Jury “emphasizes the universality of the film’s message and its courage in addressing the dark side that is present in each human being. Elisa is in prison, having committed one of the worst crimes: the murder of her sister. Leonardo Di Costanzo, thanks to the extraordinary acting of Barbara Ronchi, describes masterfully Elisa’s inner journey from denial to acceptance, a journey with the support of a criminologist and thanks to the unconditional love of her father. When she is ready to face her guilt, she finds the way to embrace forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. Truth sets her free.”
The 2025 SIGNIS Jury was composed of Eliana Ariola (Italy), Sergio Perugini (Italy, Secretary), András Petrik (Hungary), María Serrano (Spain), and Stanislav Zeman (Czech Republic, President).
