Paolo Sorrentino’s Il Divo has topped the nominations for Italy’s Silver Ribbons (Nastri D’Argento) with nine nominations, including director of best film.

Il Divo also scooped nominations across the acting categories and for best producer, while Marco Bellocchio’s Cannes competition film Vincere, Marco Risi’s Fortapasc, Pupi Avati’s Giovanna’s Father and Fauto Brizzi’s Ex all received six nominations each.

Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah got just four nominations but will receive a Special Silver Ribbon for film of the year. The honour will go to director Matteo Garrone, producer Domenico Procacci, Gomorrah author Roberto Saviano and Rai Cinema.

The Silver Ribbons are Italy’s oldest film awards and are voted for by journalists that are members of the National Film Journalists Union or Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani.

The critics have nominated 35 different films that were released between May 1 last year and May 24 this year for the 63rd edition, which will take place at the Taormina Film Festival on June 27.

The nominations for director of best film include:

  • Francesca Archibugi for Un Questione di Cuore
  • Pupi Avati for Giovanna’s Father
  • Marco Bellocchio for Vincere
  • Marco Risi for Fortapasc
  • Paolo Sorrentino for Il Divo.

In addition to the best film category, the panel has created a new category for comedies this year. The nominees are:

  • Diverso Da Chi by Umberto Cartegni,
  • Ex by Fausto Brizzi, Generazione
  • Mille Euro by Massimo Vernier
  • Italians by Gianni Veronesi
  • Si Puo’ Fare by Giulio Manfredonia

In addition to all the acting, technical and artistic categories, several special Ribbons were assigned by SNGCI’s National directors led by Laura Delli Colli.

Writer/director Ettore Scola has been awarded a separate lifetime achievement honor, while Piera Degli Espositi has been honored with a special Ribbon for three supporting actress roles in Il Divo, Giuila Doesn’t Go Out At Night (Guilia Non Esce La Sera), and The Man Who Loves (L’Uomo Che Ama).

Meanwhile, actor Raoul Bova has been given an honourary Silver Ribbon in recognition of work raising awareness of humanitarian issues in the anti-death penalty film 15 Seconds and the newly released drug action film The Cop (Sbirri). Adriano Giannini was also given a special Silver Ribbon for dubbing - specifically as the Italian voice dubbing of the late Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight, and a Special European Silver Ribbon will be awarded to Polish director Andrzej Wajda.