Iranian actress Laleh Marzban has won the Best Actress award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. She was honored for her performance as Ensi in Falling House (original title: Moraghab), directed by Mohsen Gharaee. The prize was announced at the closing ceremony at the Lido on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
A Prize in the Orizzonti Section
Orizzonti is an official section of the Venice Film Festival dedicated to new voices and innovative work in international independent cinema. Other Orizzonti winners this year included Riccardo Scamarcio, who took Best Actor for The Children of the Monkey, and Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni’s Diane in the Loop, which won Best Film in the section.
About Falling House
- Director: Mohsen Gharaee
- Cast: Farhad Aslani, Rima Raminfar, Laleh Marzban and Elnaz Khabazan
- Production: Iran, Germany and the United States
- Premiere: Orizzonti, 83rd Venice International Film Festival
The Winner’s Reaction
Marzban was visibly moved as she accepted the award, describing it as the fulfillment of a dream.
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival ran from September 2 to 12, 2026. The Golden Lion went to May el-Toukhy’s Woman Unknown.
