Venice, 8 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar has won the prestigious Golden Lion for his film "The Room Next Door," the Venice International Film Festival jury said on Saturday.

The film, Almodóvar's first English-language feature, tells the story of two friends portrayed by Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.

Spain's best-known director, Almodóvar previously won Academy Awards for "All About My Mother" in 2000 and "Talk to Her" in 2003.

The jury, led by French actress Isabelle Huppert, picked his film from a list of 21 entries ahead of other favourites including Brazilian drama "Ainda Estou Aqui" ("I'm Still Here") by director Walter Salles, which took home best screenplay.

Almodóvar also beat out "Joker: Folie à Deux," the sequel to the first "Joker" film which won the top prize at the Italian festival five years ago.

The Silver Lion for best director was taken home by Brady Corbet for "The Brutalist."

Earlier, Australian actress Nicole Kidman won the award for best actress for her performance in the erotic drama "Babygirl" by Dutch director Halina Reijn.

The film tells the story of a businesswoman who begin an affair with a younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson.

Kidman was due to receive the award but was forced to pull out after the death of her mother. 

Speaking to the audience at the festival on Saturday night via a note read out by Reijn, Kidman said her “heart is broken”.

It read: “Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed.

“I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her, she shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.

“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.

“We love you all.”

Frenchman Vincent Lindon won best actor for the drama "Playing with Fire" by Delphine and Muriel Coulin, in which he plays a single father struggling with his son's descent into the far-right scene.