At Rome’s prestigious Centro Studi Americani, the 2025 Pair – Prize for American Italian Relations ceremony marked its ninth edition, honoring four individuals who have strengthened the cultural and scientific bond between Italy and the US. The event, endorsed by Italy’s President, the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Culture, the Lazio Region, and the City of Rome, celebrated excellence across the arts, humanities, and innovation.
The evening, hosted by Rai journalist Federica De Vizia, featured performances by the State Police Band, which played music inspired by each honoree. – The Honor Committee, chaired by Gianni Letta, selected four distinguished figures whose work reflects the depth of transatlantic collaboration.
Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, received the award for Arts and Culture. In his remarks, he reflected on his personal ties to Italy and the growing role of Netflix’s Rome headquarters, opened in 2022. He also paid tribute to Amadeo Peter Giannini, the Italian American founder of Bank of America and early supporter of Hollywood’s film industry.
Luca Ward, one of Italy’s most recognized actors and voice artists, was honored in Performing and Visual Arts. The grandson of an American officer, Ward described dubbing as a cultural bridge that connects Italian and American storytelling – and offered a live demonstration that earned strong applause.
Antonio Monda, writer, filmmaker, and professor at New York University, was recognized for Human, Social, Literary, and Economic Sciences. Living in New York since the 1990s, he founded the festival Le Conversazioni and has curated retrospectives for MoMA and Lincoln Center, also serving as artistic director of the Rome Film Festival.
Camillo Ricordi, scientist at the University of Miami, was awarded for Technical and Technological Sciences. His pioneering research on diabetes and stem-cell transplants has advanced regenerative medicine worldwide.
Together, their achievements symbolize enduring creativity, scientific progress, and the lasting friendship between Italy and America.
