Gessica Généus Won Villa Medici Prize for Best Film
The Haitian filmmaker secured the festival's top honor for her 104-minute feature Marie Madeleine.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Arthouse
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Filmmaker Gessica Généus received the Best Film award at the Villa Medici Film Festival in Rome. Her film, Marie Madeleine, was selected from a competitive international pool of 12 works.
Why it matters
The festival jury recognized the film for its profound exploration of faith, human choices, and freedom. This win highlights the artistic significance of the project, which is set in Jacmel, Haiti.
The award-winning film Marie Madeleine has a runtime of 104 minutes and was presented in Haitian Creole with English subtitles. The top prize includes €5,000, which is approximately $5,700.
The players
Gessica Généus
She is the director of the film Marie Madeleine who was honored with the top prize at the Villa Medici Film Festival.
Villa Medici Film Festival
This annual event held in Rome showcases international cinematic works and provides awards and residencies to emerging filmmakers.
The details
Selected from 12 films in the international competition, the project uses the Haitian city of Jacmel as its backdrop. The jury awarded the prize for the work's thematic depth, specifically its focus on individual agency and belief systems.
Timeline
The sixth Villa Medici Film Festival took place in Rome from Sept. 16 to 20, 2026.
Gessica Généus officially received the Best Film award on Sept. 19, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The award extends the reach of the Villa Medici artistic residency program by integrating international filmmakers into the institution's creative ecosystem. Such recognitions provide a bridge for auteur-driven international cinema to reach wider global audiences and institutional support systems.
Viewers interested in the film can look for future screenings of the 104-minute feature following its festival debut. As the film gains critical recognition, it may see expanded distribution or availability at additional international festivals.
The takeaway
This win marks a significant milestone for Haitian cinema on the international stage. It encourages viewers to seek out non-traditional narratives that prioritize deep thematic exploration over mainstream conventions.
Further reading
For more coverage on global cinema trends and festival news, visit the Arthouse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Haitian Times.
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