Paolo Sorrentino’s political drama Il Divo took the top prize at Italy’s Silver Ribbons (Nastri D’Argento) awards, announced this weekend.

Il Divo, about the life of seven-time prime minister Giulio Andreotti scooped up the top honor of ‘director of best film’- and three other top recognitions including best producer, best screenplay and best actor honors for Toni Servillo’s performance.

With four wins, the film tied with Marco Bellocchio’s Cannes entry Vincere that took home awards in the best actress category (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) as well as in three technical categories including best cinematography, art direction and editing.

Fausto Brizzi’s romantic comedy Ex took home the ‘special 2009 comedy’ honors - the first director to be assigned an award in this category, which saw its debut with this edition, while Gianni Di Gregorio was awarded with ‘best first feature’ for his Midsummer Lunch (Pranzo Di Ferragosto).    

Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah received the ‘Best Film Event of the Year’ award. Other wins included best ‘subject’ to Fabio Bonifacci for two films: Diverso da Chi  and Si Puo Fare, costumes to Marco Tullio Giordana’s Crazy Blood (Sanguepazzo) and best original song to Giulia Doesn’t Go Out At Night (Guilia Non Esce La Sera).

Distributor Lucky Red was honored with best European Film for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire while Warner Bros Italia picked up an award for best film outside the European Union, for Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.