Laleh Marzban Wins Orizzonti Best Actress Award at Venice Film Festival 2026 for Moragheb (Falling House)
Laleh Marzban has won the Orizzonti Award for Best Actress at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival for her performance in Mohsen Gharaei’s Moragheb (Falling House), marking a major international achievement for the Iranian actress and one of the most significant moments for Iranian cinema at Venice Film Festival 2026.
Marzban received the prestigious acting award during the closing events of the Venice Film Festival on September 12, 2026, after Moragheb competed in the festival’s Orizzonti section. The Iranian actress was visibly emotional following the announcement and later appeared at the winners photocall holding her award.
Her victory has immediately drawn international attention to Moragheb, director Mohsen Gharaei, and the film’s exploration of family, fear, freedom, social pressure and the changing aspirations of Iranian women.
The official Venice Film Festival lists Moragheb (Falling House) as a 130-minute Persian-language production from Iran, the United States and Germany, directed by Mohsen Gharaei and starring Laleh Marzban, Farhad Aslani, Rima Raminfar and Elena Khakbazan.
Laleh Marzban wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival 2026
Laleh Marzban’s victory came in the Orizzonti competition, one of the most important sections of the Venice International Film Festival. The Orizzonti section is dedicated to films that represent new aesthetic and expressive trends in contemporary cinema.
The official festival programme confirms that Moragheb (Falling House) was selected for the Orizzonti competition and that Laleh Marzban was among its principal cast members.
The award is officially titled the Orizzonti Award for Best Actress, rather than a Bronze Lion. This distinction is important because Venice uses the Lion terminology primarily for awards in its main competition, including the Golden Lion and Silver Lion. Orizzonti has its own awards structure, including Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Short Film.
For Marzban, the award represents a major international recognition of her acting career and places her performance in Moragheb among the standout acting achievements of Venice Film Festival 2026.
The moment was particularly emotional because of the film’s intimate subject matter and its connection to contemporary Iranian society.
When Marzban’s name was announced, she appeared deeply moved. She embraced fellow cast member Rima Raminfar with tear-filled eyes, creating one of the most emotional scenes surrounding the 2026 Venice Film Festival awards.
The actress later appeared with the Moragheb team at the official winners photocall, where she posed with the Orizzonti Best Actress award.
September 12, 2026 | 10:03 pm
