Nicola Peltz Wins Secret Venice Rising Star, Fans Question Pay‑to‑Play

Nicola Peltz walked the red carpet in Venice this month, her arm wrapped around husband Brooklyn Beckham, and accepted a “Rising Star” honor at Casa Cinema Giovani. The ceremony took place on a Wednesday in late May, a day after the Venice Film Festival’s opening night.

The award was presented by the Kinéo Cultural Association, an organization that has run its own film event in Venice since 2002.

The accolade appeared to dovetail with the high‑profile festival, but the event was not part of the official Venice Film Festival program. Kinéo’s Rising Star award is not tied to a specific performance, and no shortlist or vote tally has ever been disclosed.

The timing of Peltz’s win—coinciding with the festival’s schedule—has led observers to question whether the honor was a promotional move for her upcoming indie drama, *Prima*.

The film, in which Peltz plays a prima ballerina named Margo, is still unreleased and has no confirmed date. Peltz has been actively promoting it on social media since January, and the project is being backed in part by her father, billionaire Nelson Peltz.

While the award was celebrated on a public red carpet, the ceremony itself was a modest gathering in a Venice cinema.

## Background & Context

Kinéo Cultural Association was founded by Rosetta Sannelli in 2002 to showcase emerging filmmakers in Venice. The organization’s Rising Star award has been given annually to actors who are seen as “increasingly multifaceted roles, both in front of and behind the camera,” .

In Peltz’s case, the award was presented on a private day in the cinema, separate from the festival’s public screenings and press events.

Peltz began her career as a child actor, appearing in *Deck the Halls* at age 11 and later starring in *The Last Airbender* and *Transformers: The Age of Extinction*. She has also written, produced, and directed films through her label Bunny Films, a venture that carries a name honoring her late grandmother.

Bunny Films has received financial support from Peltz’s family, and the 2024 feature *Lola*—which she wrote and directed—was released to limited box‑office returns of less than $1,000.

The *Prima* production has been in development for several years. Peltz performed four months of intensive ballet training for the role, losing weight to drop below 100 lb (45 kg) in an effort to embody her character.

She shared her experience on social media, noting that the physical demands were “grueling” but essential to her performance.

## What People Are Saying

On *The Rest Is Entertainment* podcast, hosts Richard Osman and Marina Hyde discussed Peltz’s award.

Marina said: “She actually won the Rising Star Award in Venice in the city, but at a festival that takes place at the same time as the Venice Film Festival, but is not in fact the Venice Film Festival or indeed affiliated with it in any way.” The hosts noted that while the ceremony was held on a red carpet, it was a separate event from the official festival, potentially giving viewers the illusion that Peltz had been honored by Venice’s most prestigious film gathering.

Brooklyn Beckham responded to online criticism of Peltz’s weight loss by tweeting: “Don’t ever talk about my wife. She’s absolutely beautiful and you should never comment on a woman's body.

It’s disgraceful.” The message came after a follower asked whether people who questioned Peltz’s health were concerned about her well‑being or her appearance. Brooklyn defended his wife’s choices and urged critics to treat her with respect.

Peltz herself thanked her supporters during the award acceptance. “Hi everyone. I am normally more comfortable playing a character as an actor than standing in front of an audience, so please bear with me,” she said.

“Thank you so much for this immense honour. To receive an award at the Venice Film Festival is something I will carry with me for the rest of my career.” She also praised co‑star Faye Dunaway, who received a Lifetime Achievement award at the same ceremony, calling her a source of inspiration.

## What Happens Next

The *Prima* film remains unreleased, and no official distribution date has been announced. Peltz’s social‑media promotion continues, with posts highlighting her preparation for the role and updates on the film’s progress.

Her family—mother Claudia, brother Bradley, and father Nelson—were present at the award ceremony and publicly expressed their pride in her achievements.

In addition to the Rising Star honor, Peltz has been involved in other projects that have drawn criticism. Her 2024 film *Lola* was panned by critics and accused of being a “glorified commercial” for Peltz herself.

The film’s limited theatrical release earned under $1,000 at the box office, and reviewers described it as “poverty porn,” suggesting an exploitation of poverty for artistic recognition.

The broader conversation around the award touches on Hollywood’s “pay‑to‑play” culture, where studios and production companies invest heavily in lobbying campaigns to secure nominations. In 2023, a campaign led by A‑listers Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet was investigated for potentially violating Academy rules.

The controversy highlights how high‑profile individuals sometimes use financial resources to influence award outcomes.

For Peltz, the upcoming release of *Prima* will be a critical test. If the film finds an audience, it could confirm that her Rising Star award reflected genuine industry recognition. If it fails to attract viewers, questions about the award’s merit may intensify.

In the meantime, Peltz’s career continues to evolve—she remains an active actor, writer, and producer while navigating the complexities of Hollywood’s award culture.

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