The Alicante Film Festival has revealed the honorary award for its newest section, named the Fashion Cinema award. This accolade recognizes the outstanding work of costume designers in film. Clara Bilbao, a renowned designer who has earned three Goya Awards, will receive the award in recognition of her long and influential career in film and other audiovisual productions. The announcement was made at the Alicante stand during the Madrid International Tourism Fair, Fitur.
Representing the Alicante Tourism Council, Ana Poquet and Vincent Seva, Director of the Alicante Film Festival, together with Rosario Puñales, who coordinates the Fashion Cinema department, introduced the award. Puñales was responsible for presenting the prize, which marks the first honorary title unveiled for the festival’s 21st edition, taking place from May 18 to 21, 2024.
Clara Bilbao could not attend the event in person but sent a thank-you video. She said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award.” She added, “I am thankful that a festival like Alicante includes a section that values the work of costume designers. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone in Alicante in May.”
Rosario Puñales emphasized that costumes and props are essential elements of the cinematic narrative. She noted that increasing visibility for these professionals through this chapter and its award is a meaningful step for the industry.
Vicente Seva, the festival’s director, highlighted the significance of this new section and its focus on costume design. He explained that the idea began last year with the celebration of designer Sonia Grande, a frequent collaborator in Woody Allen’s films. Seva stressed that costumes do more than shape characters; they help immerse the audience in the story. He described the costume designer’s role as both exhilarating and necessary in any audiovisual production, and he expressed anticipation for Clara Bilbao’s continued contribution to Alicante. Bilbao’s three Goya Awards underscore a career marked by creativity and influence in the field.
Clara Bilbao studied at the Higher Center for Fashion Design of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, focusing on Stage Costume Design. She began her career as a film technician more than thirty years ago and has contributed to over fifty film projects and television series. Her body of work spans feature films, television dramas, and large-scale productions, earning her recognition across the industry.
Throughout her career, Bilbao has earned three Goya Awards from the Film Academy. She received her first Goya in 2012 for a feature directed by Mateo Gil, featuring a standout performance by actors such as Sam Shepard and Stephen Rea. In 2016, she earned another Goya for a film directed by Isabel Coixet, featuring Juliette Binoche and Gabriel Byrne. A third win followed in 2019 for a project directed by Daniel de la Torre, starring Luis Tosar and Michelle Jenner. Bilbao’s influence extends to television, where she has designed costumes for acclaimed series, contributing to productions such as Homeland and other high-profile projects. Her work has helped define characters and tone across multiple storytelling platforms.
Bilbao currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a costume expert member. She recently announced her foray into directing, with a new feature project set to release, a film titled We Treat Women Very Well, starring Carmen Machi and Antonio de la Torre. This marks an expansion of her creative influence beyond costume design into on-screen storytelling.