May el-Toukhy Wins Venice Golden Lion for 'Woman Unknown' at Politically Charged Awards

At the 2026 Venice Film Festival, the Golden Lion went to Danish-Egyptian director May el-Toukhy for her film "Woman Unknown." Accepting the award, el-Toukhy paid tribute to "invisible and voiceless women." The Silver Lion was awarded to Ilia Khrjanovski, who dedicated it "to Ukrainians fighting for freedom." Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor received the Special Jury Prize for their documentary about civilians killed by the Israeli army in Gaza. The awards ceremony reflected a strongly political edition of the festival, with laureates using their acceptance speeches to address war, freedom, and civilian casualties. The top prize recognized el-Toukhy's work, while the jury's other major honors went to filmmakers whose projects engage directly with contemporary conflicts. The event took place in Venice, Italy, in September 2026.