Nastro D'Argento

   Award. Meaning, literally, "Silver Ribbon," the Nastro d'argento is a prestigious award conferred annually by the Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani (SNGCI, National Union of Italian Film Journalists). Awarding of the Nastri is decided by a general vote of all union members. The award was instituted in 1946 when the ribbon for Best Film went to Roberto Rossellini's Roma citta aperta (Rome Open City, 1945, also known as Open City) and Best Direction was shared between Vittorio De Sica for Sciuscia (Shoe-Shine, 1946) and Alessandro Blasetti for Un giorno nella vita (A Day in the Life, 1946).

   The Nastri are specifically intended to acknowledge and reward the achievement of Italians in the national industry, although one of the 16 ribbons is reserved for the Best Foreign Film of the year and one for Best European Production. The other categories include Best Director, Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best First Direction, Best Song, and Best Dubbing of a Foreign Film. From year to year special ribbons may be awarded, as in 2003 when a Nastro d'argento speciale was presented to actor-director Carlo Verdone for his achievements during his first 25 years in the industry. Traditionally the awards were made in the Sicilian city of Taormina but since 2005 the ceremony for the awarding of the prizes has taken place in Rome.