David di Donatello 2026: how to follow the ceremony, favorite films and actors and the guests of the Italian Oscar night

The countdown is over: the David di Donatello 2026 turns the spotlight on the best of Italian cinema. The ceremony, now in its 71st edition, is being staged this evening from Cinecittà’s Teatro 23, inaugurated specifically for the occasion. The event is scheduled for prime time on Rai 1 from 9.30pm, with the possibility of following the event also in streaming on RaiPlay, in 4K on Rai4K and via radio on Rai Radio2. An unprecedented couple leads the show: Flavio Insinna and Bianca Balti, supported by the irony of Nino Frassica.

The favourites: open challenge between authors and surprises

The heart of the evening is all about the challenge for Best Film. In pole position The cities of the plain by Francesco Sossai, with 16 nominations, followed by Grace by Paolo Sorrentino with 14 nominations. Further away but still running The tasters, Five seconds And Out. On the acting front, all eyes are on Toni Servillo for Graceconsidered the favorite among the protagonists, while the women’s competition promises to be more uncertain with Valeria Golino, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Barbara Ronchi protagonists of a tight challenge. Among the outsiders, Claudio Santamaria stands out The Kite and Valerio Mastandrea in Five seconds.

Directors outside the directorial field, but central to the renewal

One of the most discussed aspects of this edition concerns the Best Director category, made up exclusively of men. A fact that does not go unnoticed, especially after the previous edition which marked an important moment. However, the overall picture is more complex than it seems. In the section dedicated to the debuts, in fact, the female presence is predominant: Ludovica Rampoldi with Short love storyMargherita Spampinato with My joyGreta Scarano with Life as adults and Alissa Jung with Paternal Leave they represent a new generation of authors who are decisively establishing themselves. The data should not be read as a simple absence, but as a shift in the creative center of gravity: female directors are emerging above all in first works, where experimentation and narrative freedom find greater space. A sign of transformation that could be reflected in the main categories as early as the next editions.

Guests, special prizes and show on stage

The evening will also be enriched by a rich array of guests. Expected on stage are Matthew Modine, Stefania Sandrelli, Raoul Bova, Margherita Vicario and Angela Finocchiaro, together with musical interventions by Annalisa, Arisa, Francesca Michielin and Tommaso Paradiso. Among the awards already announced, the David for Lifetime Achievement goes to Gianni Amelio, the David Speciale goes to Bruno Bozzetto and the award goes to Vittorio Storaro. Awards also for international cinema with One battle after another and the Spectator’s David for the highest grossing film Good Camino by Checco Zalone. Ornella Muti will also participate in the ceremony and will go on stage to collect the Special David awarded to her by the Accademia del Cinema Italiano in the last edition.

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