Stefania Gadda

Biography

Stefania Gadda is an Italian-born rancher and non-professional actor who gained international cinema recognition in 2026 for her role in the acclaimed film "Sirāt". Living an off-the-grid lifestyle in the Spanish town of Órgiva, she was discovered during a "street casting" process by the film's production team, who were seeking authentic individuals to portray a group of desert-dwelling techno-nomads. In the film, which has been nominated for the 2026 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, Gadda plays Stef, a member of a roving rave community in the Moroccan desert. Her character becomes a pivotal guide for the protagonist Luis (played by veteran actor Sergi López) and his son as they search for a missing girl. Critics have praised the raw authenticity of her performance, noting that she and her fellow non-professional cast members (playing fictionalized versions of themselves) ground the film's apocalyptic narrative in a tangible, gritty reality. Prior to her casting, Gadda had no acting experience. Director Óliver Laxe reportedly selected her on the recommendation of locals in the Alpujarra region, drawn to her real-life experience as a traveler and her connection to the counter-culture lifestyle depicted in the movie. The film won the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where Gadda walked the red carpet alongside her co-stars.