The official name of the award has changed several times . In 1933 , Katharine Hepburn was honored with the Great Gold Medal of the National Fascist Association for Entertainment for the Best Actress for her role in '' Little Women '' . It was introduced as the Volpi Cup for Best Actress in the following year . The awards given from 1947 to 1949 were named the International Award for the Best Actress . From 1983 to 1987 , it was given as Best Actress Award . An additional award for Best Supporting Actress was introduced in 1993 , but discontinued two years later
In 1933
2nd Venice International Film Festival
Volpi Cup for Best Actress