On the occasion of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Better World Fund reconfirmed its presence in the city, pursuing its mission to promote social change through art and cinema. The highlight of the two-day event was the Better World Awards ceremony, honoring distinguished figures committed to humanitarian, cultural, and social causes.

The Better World Awards and the “La Princesse Murat” Prize

The 2025 edition placed special focus on the Paris-based NGO La Princesse Murat, founded in 2017 by H.I.&R.H. Princess Murat, by establishing the new “La Princesse Murat” Prize. For years, the association has been committed to ensuring access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and justice for women and children in need. This initiative gave the ceremony an even more tangible dimension, intertwining the glamour of the Venice Film Festival with the strength of social engagement.

The program also featured the international forum “The Human Lens: Cinema as a Mirror of Compassion and Coexistence”, a debate on the role of cinema as a tool for dialogue, compassion, and fraternity. Among the most anticipated contributions were those of filmmaker Joel Soler, Ukrainian psychologist Natalia Kholodenko, and award-winning producer Valentina Castellani-Quinn, President of Quinn Studios Entertainment.

The event concluded with the Gala Dinner, which hosted the presentation of the Better World Awards in three categories: Best Commitment Award (for outstanding dedication to humanitarian causes), Best Achievement Award (for concrete results in the field of social action), and Best Engagement Award (for those who have inspired and mobilized the public around a cause). In previous editions, the awards have honored numerous distinguished figures from the worlds of cinema, culture, and diplomacy, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner, Kevin Spacey, and many others.

The Role of the Nani Mocenigo Palace Hotel

Among the event’s partners, the Nani Mocenigo Palace played a prominent role. The Hotel hosted the Better World speakers and presented the exhibition The Magnificent 7 – The Soul of the Cinema in Bronze by sculptor Dante Mortet. Staged within the historic Venetian palace, the exhibition showcased bronze casts inspired by the hands of Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Anjelica Huston, Kirk Douglas, Ennio Morricone, Pelé, and Quentin Tarantino.

Dante Mortet created also the sculpture-prizes for the Better World Fund of this edition, designed to honor figures who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to art, peace, and human fraternity. The collaboration with the Nani Mocenigo Palace Hotel thus brought together hospitality, culture, and diplomacy, reinforcing the deep connection between Venice and the global issues.