Nicole Kidman was unable to receive her award for best actress at the Venice Film Festival after finding out her mother died.

Kidman, 57, won the prize for her performance in Babygirl.

But she was unable to pick up the accolade in person on Saturday, with the film’s director Halina Rejin reading out a message from her instead.

It said: “Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed.

“I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her, she shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.

“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken. We love you all.”

Kidman’s mother was 83 and had appeared with her on the red carpet over the years.

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In Babygirl, Kidman plays a chief executive having an affair with a young intern.

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Best film – the most prestigious prize at the 81st edition of the film festival – went to Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door – his English language debut.

The director also dedicated his award to his family.

“I would like to dedicate it to my family,” he said.

“This movie… it is my first movie in English, but the spirit is Spanish.”

It got nearly a 20-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the event this week.

Other films to debut at the festival included Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, Joker: Folie A Deux, and Queer..

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