MILAN — Actress and producer Adria Arjona has been named the 21st recipient of the annual WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award, a prestigious accolade that recognizes rising artistic excellence and a commitment to transforming culture within the entertainment industry.
Arjona is set to celebrate the announcement by attending the Max Mara spring 2027 fashion show in Milan on Thursday morning. The formal presentation of the award will take place later this year during the 2026 WIF Honors on November 5, where the American talent of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan heritage will be celebrated for her contributions to cinema and television.
Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, granddaughter of founder Achille Maramotti and a Max Mara Fashion Group board member, expressed immense enthusiasm regarding the selection.
"We are thrilled to name Adria Arjona the 2026 WIF Max Mara Face of the Future. Adria truly embodies the spirit of Max Mara with her commanding talent, effortless style and fearless choices on screen," Maramotti said.
"With an exciting run of projects ahead and her extensive philanthropic dedication, her future has never looked brighter. It is always a privilege to partner with Women in Film to celebrate extraordinary female talent, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Adria into the Max Mara family," she added.
A Rapidly Ascending Career in Hollywood
Arjona has solidified her status as one of the leading up-and-coming actresses in Hollywood through a diverse array of critically acclaimed roles across major film and television platforms. Most recently, she starred in the A24-produced thriller "Onslaught," directed by Adam Wingard. Furthermore, she is poised to take on the lead role opposite Michael B. Jordan in the highly anticipated Amazon MGM movie "The Thomas Crown Affair," which is scheduled to hit theaters in March.
Her professional journey to international fame gained major momentum with her breakout role in 2017 as Dorothy Gale in "Emerald City," the dark-tinged television adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." Since then, Arjona has consistently chosen dynamic and challenging projects. She appeared in Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, "Blink Twice," and starred in the 2025 feature "Splitsville" alongside Dakota Johnson, a project that enjoyed a prominent premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, she has earned widespread critical acclaim and fan devotion for her powerful portrayal of Bix Caleen in the Disney+ Star Wars prequel series "Andor."
Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive officer of WIF, highlighted the significance of the award and praised Arjona’s multifaceted impact on the industry, noting both her artistic achievements and her behind-the-scenes leadership.
"Over the last two decades, the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award has cast a light on the industry’s brightest rising stars, not only for their remarkable talent but for their spirit in creating opportunities for all women. We are honored to continue the legacy with Adria Arjona," Schaffer said.
"With her groundbreaking performance in ‘Andor’ that had us all in awe of her raw talent, to her highly anticipated appearance in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ and now serving as an executive producer for projects such as ‘Los Frikis’, ‘Splitsville’ and ‘Onslaught’, Adria is taking full creative control of her career and bringing other women along with her," she added.
Joining an Elite Roster of Talents
By receiving the 2026 WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award, Arjona enters an elite and celebrated lineage of women who have shaped modern cinema and television. She follows actress Maude Apatow, who was bestowed with the accolade last year.
The extensive roster of past recipients includes a who’s who of acclaimed contemporary performers: Joey King, Yara Shahidi, Lili Reinhart, Zazie Beetz, Gemma Chan, Elizabeth Debicki, Alexandra Shipp, Zoey Deutch, Natalie Dormer, Kate Mara, Rose Byrne, Hailee Steinfeld, Chloë Grace Moretz, Katie Holmes, Zoë Saldana, Elizabeth Banks, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emily Blunt, and Maria Bello.
Founded originally in 1973 as Women in Film, Los Angeles, WIF operates as a steadfast advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women working across all screen industries. By striving to achieve true industry parity and actively transforming organizational and cultural norms, the organization continues to champion talents who pave the way for future generations.
