Volpi Cup for Best Actress

The Volpi Cup is the principal award given to actresses at the Venice Film Festival and is named in honor of Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, the founder of the festival. The award winner is selected by the festival jury from the films in the competition slate. The official name of the award has changed several times over the course of the years. From 1969 through 1978, there were no awards given at the festival for acting. The main Best Actress Award resumed in 1983. The awards given from 1983 to 1987 were not Coppa Volpis but rather square plaques. The award can be given for lead or supporting performances. There are additional awards given within the festival that recognize acting performances. From 1993 to 1995 the festival awarded a Best Supporting Actress prize that is included below.