Gessica Généus Wins Villa Medici Film Festival with Marie Madeleine
The sixth Villa Medici Film Festival took place in Rome from September 16 to 20, 2026, where Gessica Généus received the top honor for her film, Marie Madeleine. This year’s festival drew more than 5,000 attendees and featured a jury that included Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Rosa Barba, and Radu Jude. The Jury Prize was awarded to Tutti Frutti by Céline Sciamma, while Dean Wei's The Apple Doesn't Fall… received a special mention. Généus's film, set in Jacmel, Haiti, delves into the dynamics between a sex worker and a young evangelist. The festival also paid tribute to Lili Hinstin, an influential figure who passed away in 2026. Established in 2021, the festival emphasizes the convergence of cinema and contemporary art.
Key facts
- Gessica Généus won the top prize at the sixth Villa Medici Film Festival for Marie Madeleine.
- The festival took place in Rome from September 16 to 20, 2026, attracting over 5,000 spectators.
- The jury included Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Rosa Barba, and Radu Jude, selecting from twelve international titles.
- Céline Sciamma received the Jury Prize for Tutti Frutti, a 40-minute film from the Centre Pompidou's Où en êtes-vous ? collection.
- Dean Wei received a special mention for The Apple Doesn't Fall…, a 19-minute short.
- The main award is worth €5,000 and includes a Villa Medici residency; the Jury Prize is €3,000 with a residency.
- Marie Madeleine is set in Jacmel, Haiti, and explores faith, desire, and freedom through two contrasting characters.
- The edition was dedicated to Lili Hinstin, a programmer and artistic director who died in 2026 and had worked at Villa Medici, Locarno, and other festivals.
Entities
Artists
- Gessica Généus
- Zar Amir Ebrahimi
- Rosa Barba
- Radu Jude
- Céline Sciamma
- Dean Wei
- Adèle Haenel
- Lili Hinstin
Institutions
- Villa Medici
- Ayizan Production
- Centre Pompidou
- Festival Entrevues
- Locarno Film Festival
- Festival international du film de Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues
- Festival di Film di Villa Medici
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Jacmel
- Haiti
- Belfort
- France
- Locarno
- Switzerland
- Biarritz