It’s Not the Heavyweight Title, It’s the Savvy Undercard
In the world of film festivals, not all top prizes are created equal. Winning the Golden Lion at Venice is a massive achievement, instantly catapulting a film into the Best Picture conversation. But it also comes with a target on its back. The film becomes
the one to beat, burdened with sky-high expectations for the rest of the grueling awards season. A screenplay win, however, is a more subtle and, arguably, more tactical victory. It allows a film to leave the festival with major hardware and a powerful talking point, but without the suffocating pressure that comes with being the presumed frontrunner. It’s the difference between winning the pennant in July versus September; one is a great story, the other creates immense pressure to win the World Series.
Forging the “Intellectual Film” Narrative
An award for Best Screenplay is the single fastest way to brand a film as “smart.” It immediately tells Academy voters, critics, and audiences that this isn't just a visually interesting or emotionally resonant movie, but a foundationally well-written one. This narrative is especially powerful for complex, dialogue-driven, or unconventional films that might otherwise be overlooked. Consider Martin McDonagh, who has twice won the Best Screenplay award at Venice, for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) and The Banshees of Inisherin (2022). Both films went on to secure Best Original Screenplay nominations at the Oscars, propelled by the “masterfully written” narrative that began on the Lido. It’s a seal of approval that speaks directly to the craft of filmmaking.
A Direct Line to the Academy’s Writers Branch
The Academy Awards are not a popular vote; they're an election decided by specific, professional branches. Winning a prestigious international screenplay award is a direct appeal to the Academy’s large and influential Writers Branch. These are the voters who pour over scripts and value narrative construction above all else. A Venice win ensures a film’s screenplay lands on their must-read pile. It’s a targeted campaign strategy. Look at The Lost Daughter (2021), for which Maggie Gyllenhaal won at Venice, or Philomena (2013), for which Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope took the prize; both went on to earn Oscar nominations for their screenplays. The award acts as a powerful endorsement from a jury of international peers, giving it significant credibility with Hollywood writers.
The Golden Consolation Prize That Builds Momentum
Sometimes, the value of the screenplay award lies in what it prevents. For a film that was a serious contender for the Golden Lion but fell short, walking away empty-handed can be a narrative disaster. The conversation shifts from “Oscar hopeful” to “Venice snub.” Winning for screenplay, however, changes the story entirely. The film is still a “Venice Award-Winner,” and the campaign can maintain its momentum heading into the subsequent Toronto and Telluride film festivals. This was the case with Todd Field's TÁR in 2022. While the film didn't win the Golden Lion, Cate Blanchett took Best Actress and the film's script was widely praised, cementing its status as a major awards contender. It went on to receive six Oscar nominations, including for Best Original Screenplay. The screenplay prize serves as vital fuel, keeping the Oscar buzz alive and ensuring the film remains part of the conversation.
