ICDA is proud to announce its new collaboration with RB Casting on its annual award. The award recognises actors appearing in Italian films selected for the Festival’s Competition, Out of Competition, Orizzonti, and Spotlight sections.
The jury for the sixth edition, comprising casting directors Piotr Bartuszek (Poland), Stefania Rodà (Italy), and Armando Pizzuti (Italy), unanimously decided to award the 2026 RB Casting Prize to Emanuele Maria Di Stefano for his role as Luca in La città dei vivi by Edoardo Gabbriellini, presented in the Orizzonti section.
Jury statement:
The 2026 RB Casting Award Jury has chosen to honour Emanuele Di Stefano for his performance in La città dei vivi, for the remarkable depth, sensitivity, and emotional precision he brings to the role. His performance is both powerful and restrained, revealing the complexity and vulnerability of his character without ever forcing the emotion. With an intense yet deeply natural presence, he creates a character who feels authentic, unsettling, and profoundly human, leaving a lasting impression long after the film ends.
A key new feature of this edition of the RB Casting Award was its partnership with the ICDA (International Casting Directors Association), which complements the award’s long-standing collaboration with the UICD (Italian Casting Directors Union). This partnership strengthens the award’s international scope and brings together Italian and international casting expertise. Furthermore, the Venice Film Festival is the first international festival to officially recognise an award presented by a jury composed exclusively of casting directors.
Our very special thanks go to Roberto Bigherati and Annalisa Pastore of RB Casting, who created the award and opened its doors to international participation. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the President of the Venice Biennale, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco; the Festival Director, Alberto Barbera; and Angela Savoldi (Biennale Cinema), as well as to all our members who contributed to this collaboration and to the international expansion of the award.
