Nicole Kidman had just arrived at the Venice Film Festival with her new film Babygirl

Nicole Kidman has shared the news that her mother Janelle Ann Kidman has died just before she received an award for Best Actress.

The actor had been attending the Venice Film Festival, but left early to be with her family.

Babygirl director Halina Reijn read out a statement from Kidman explaining what had happened.

The statement would otherwise have been Kidman’s acceptance speech for the award of Best Actress for her performance in Babygirl.

In the state Kidman revealed that after receiving the news she had left the festival early to go and be with her family.

It began: “Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed.”

In her statement the actor went on to dedicate the award to her mother and pay tribute to her.

Nicole Kidman paid tribute to her mother Janelle Ann Kidman (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

Continuing to read out Kidman’s statement, Reijn said: “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me.

“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken.”

The statement concluded simply, saying: “We love you all, Nicole.”

A representative of Kidman has confirmed the news to People, adding that ‘the family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time’.

Kidman has been seen on the red carpet with her mother many times over the years, and previously opened up about the huge influence that she had on her.

The star said previously told the Sydney Morning Herald: “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.

Kidman had been attending the Venice Film Festival (Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images)

“But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.

“Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal.

“That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”

Kidman had been attending the Venice Film Festival with the movie Babygirl which follows the story of a powerful CEO who has an affair with a younger intern, jeopardising her life and career.

In her statement about the movie, Reijn said: “The affair at the heart of Babygirl allows Romy and Samuel to play out their confusion around power, gender, age, hierarchy, and primal instinct.

“Despite its forbidden nature, the joy of that exploration is liberating, even healing.”