Similar prizes had already existed in Italy for some ten years - the “Nastri d’argento” or Silver Ribbons - but these were assigned by film critics and journalists. From the very first, however, the Davids were awarded by the people in the industry, the film-makers themselves: screenwriters, performers, technicians, producers. Then as now, they were flanked by qualified members of society, especially from the liberal professions, althoughtover the years tyhese became progressively fewer as the jury panels began to number former David winners, chiefly movie personalities, which is exactly what happened with the Oscars.

After Rome, the prize-giving ceremonies were held at the Greek Theatre in Taormina, then twice in Florence, and finally in Rome again, always with the support of the President of the Republic and now with the collaboration of the Rome City Council Cultural Policies Department.

The Organization, now named the David di Donatello Organization, is proted by Italy’s two major show-business institutions: Agis (Italian General Show-Business Association) and Anica (Italian National Cinema and Audiovisual Association). It continues to operate in concert with and thanks to the contribution of the Ministry of the Performing Arts and the Ministry for Cultural Properties and Activities.

The presidents have successively been Italo Gemini, who initiated the Davids, Eitel Monaco, Paolo Grassi, and currently Gian Luigi Rondi, who has worked with the Organization since its inception.

The Prizes take into consideration all the categories of the Italian cinema, besided one reserved for the best foreign film.