Italy Selects “Vermiglio” for International Feature Oscar

Italy has selected Maura Delpero’s Venice Silver Lion winner “Vermiglio” as its entry for the best international feature Oscar.

About the Film

won the Grand Jury Prize in Competition at Venice earlier this month. Set in 1944 in the Italian alpine village after which the film is named, it sees the arrival of a deserter soldier disrupt the life of the village teacher and his family, as the eldest daughter falls in love with him.

Production Details

Producers on the film are Francesca Andreoli, Santiago Fondevila, Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli, and Delpero for Italy’s Cinedora with Rai Cinema, in co-production with France’s Charades Productions and Belgium’s Versus Production. Sideshow and Janus Films acquired North American rights on the film following its Venice win; Charades handles worldwide sales, having struck the North American deal alongside Anonymous Content.

History of Italy’s International Feature Oscar Nominations

The film was selected from 19 submissions to represent Italy, with other eligible titles including Paolo Sorrentino’s Cannes Competition title “Parthenope” and Venice films “Battleground” from Gianni Amelio and “The Time It Takes” from Francesca Comencini. Italy has won the international feature prize on 11 occasions, most recently with Sorrentino’s “The Great Beauty” in 2013. Those wins came from 30 total nominations, with Matteo Garrone’s “Io Capitano” and Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God” nominated in 2024 and 2022 respectively.

A Notable Milestone

Delpero is the first woman to represent Italy in the category since Cristina Comencini with “Don’t Tell” in 2006; and only fifth different woman (six entries) in total from 71 submissions.

Conclusion

Italy’s selection of “Vermiglio” for the international feature Oscar category is a significant achievement, marking the first time a woman has represented the country in this category.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What is the plot of “Vermiglio”?
* Set in 1944 in the Italian alpine village after which the film is named, it sees the arrival of a deserter soldier disrupt the life of the village teacher and his family, as the eldest daughter falls in love with him.
* Who produced “Vermiglio”?
* Producers on the film are Francesca Andreoli, Santiago Fondevila, Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli, and Maura Delpero.
* How many times has Italy won the international feature Oscar?
* Italy has won the international feature prize on 11 occasions.
* Is Maura Delpero the first woman to represent Italy in the category?
* Yes, she is the first woman to represent Italy in the category since Cristina Comencini with “Don’t Tell” in 2006.