From left, Donatella Gimigliano with Maria Pia Ammirati.
During the 81st Venice International Film Festival, the first edition of the “Women for Women against Violence – Camomilla Cinema Award” was held in the Tropicana 2 space of the Italian Pavilion, at the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido. This prestigious award, conceived and organized by the Consorzio Umanitas Association, chaired by Donatella Gimigliano, and by Bix Promotion, is dedicated to personalities who have distinguished themselves for their commitment against violence against women and in the prevention of breast cancer.
The award, which found its stage in the famous Venetian kermesse, was born from an initiative unique in the world for its originality in combining two crucial themes: the fight against gender violence and the prevention of breast cancer. Every year, in Italy, over 100 women are killed by men who, paradoxically, declare they love them, while breast cancer is the main cause of female oncological mortality, with approximately 12,000 deaths per year.
The award, sponsored by important institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, the Veneto Region, the Municipality of Venice, RAI, the Venice International University, UNICEF, the Italian Red Cross and LILT, aims to valorize those who use cinema, the universal language par excellence, as a tool for social change and awareness.
After a light dinner at “THEon the Terrace” of theExcelsior Hotelthe award ceremony was held, which had as its cultural partner RAI Cinemain the presence of the authorities: Martina Semenzator (President of the Parliamentary Commission on Femicide), Federico Mollicone (President of the Culture Commission of the Chamber), Ermelinda Damiano (President of the City Council of Venice), Emilio Guberti And Antonietta Busetto (respectively President and delegate for Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Lido Pellestrina) and of Carlo Pianon (President LILT Venice). The event’s host is the well-known face of Rai Uno, Beppe Convertinidirected by Antonio Centomani.
The winners of this first edition include leading figures from the world of art and culture: Maria Pia Ammirati, Director of Rai Fiction, for her commitment to producing films and TV series that address sensitive issues such as gender violence, including “Per Elisa – Il caso Claps” and “Circeo”; Sergio Castellitto and Margaret Mazzantini, for their films that explore domestic violence and emotional trauma in depth; Sveva Alviti, patron of the exhibition, for her talent and role in the TV series “Nudes”, which deals with issues of revenge porn and sextortion; Riccardo Tozzi, founder and President of Cattleya, for his commitment to gender equality and for works such as “La bestia nel cuore” and “Bella da morire”.
Other honorees include Cristina Donadio, awarded by Elisa Grando of Elle Daily for her personal testimony in the fight against breast cancer; producer Mario Gianani, for his contribution to the film “C’è ancora domani” by Paola Cortellesi; Andrea Chimento, journalist and film professor, for the film therapy project “Il tempo dell’attesa”; and Caterina Salvadori and Davide Manca, for the short film “Ànemos”, inspired by the story of Alice Casarotti.
During the evening, each winner received a sculpture created by master goldsmith Michele Affidato and a crocheted chamomile, symbol of the event, created by stylist Antonietta Tuccillo.
Among the personalities who have already received the Camomilla Award in previous editions are names such as Malika Ayane, Carolina Crescentini, Carolyn Smith, Valeria Solarino, and many others.
The event, which saw the participation of numerous authorities and personalities from the world of cinema, was hosted by Beppe Convertini, with the direction of Antonio Centomani. The ceremony concluded with a light dinner at “La Terrazza” of the Hotel Excelsior.
in the photo, Sergio Castellito, Martina Semenzato and Margaret Mazzantini
