The Golden Osella was first established in 1987 as part of the
44th Venice International Film Festival and was awarded for over two decades, making it one of the festival's most distinctive prizes. Since its inception, it has recognized excellence across a range of cinematic fields, including direction, screenplay, cinematography, production design, costume design, music score, and editing. It is inspired by the
osella tradition dating back to the 15th century in the Venetian Republic, where the Doge would distribute these silver medallions to members of the
Maggior Consiglio or other distinguished citizens. Each medallion bore unique engravings, often featuring the Doge's likeness or scenes from Venetian life, symbolizing the recipient's esteemed place in the city. Over the decades, the official festival jury has selected Golden Osella recipients based on films in the main competition. The first winners were
Luciano Ricceri, Nana Cecchi, Sten Holmberg,
David Mamet, and
Richard Robbins for their work in
The Gold Rimmed Glasses,
Hip Hip Hurrah!,
House of Games, and
Maurice, respectively. From 1999 to 2003, no Golden Osella was presented, although screenplay awards were given to
One Hundred Steps (2000) and
Y tu mamá también (2001), with technical awards going to
Far from Heaven (2002) and
Good Morning, Night (2003). It was reintroduced in 2004 with a Special Golden Osella presented to
Studio Ghibli for ''
Howl's Moving Castle'', marking the only occasion that the award was given to a production studio. The Golden Osella was last given out in 2012. Starting from the following year, a screenplay award is presented in a traditional format as a metal lion, distinct from the osella. As of 2012,
Sooni Taraporevala, Cuca Canals,
Paz Alicia Garciadiego, and
Anne Fontaine are the only female screenwriters to have won the award for their respective works on
Mississippi Masala,
The Tit and the Moon,
Dry Cleaning, and
Deep Crimson. Additionally, Nana Cecchi, Dominique Auvray, Mónica Chirinos, Marisa Pecanins, and
Sylvie Olivé have been honored for their outstanding technical contributions, specifically in
The Gold Rimmed Glasses,
No Fear, No Die,
Deep Crimson and
Mr. Nobody.
Deep Crimson holds the distinction of being the only film to receive three awards, while
The Gold Rimmed Glasses is the only other multiple winner, having claimed two awards.
Three Colours: Blue and
Lust, Caution are the only films that have also won the festival's top prize, the
Golden Lion. == Winners ==