Forecasts proved correct as the Malaga Festival awarded its Biznagas to the standout films in its Official Competition. The highly praised Second Prize took the Best Spanish Film honor (along with Best Direction), while the Mexican entry Radical, based on the real story of an unconventional teacher in a poverty-stricken village, earned the Best Ibero-American Film prize. The event underscored how the festival continues to spotlight bold storytelling across Iberian and Latin American cinema.
The Gold Biznaga serves as a strong endorsement for a production that faced considerable challenges. Just before filming began, the director Isaki Lacuesta’s daughter, who also co-wrote the script with Isa Campo, was diagnosed with leukemia. The production proceeded with the director by the bedside in the hospital, a decision that eventually shaped the film’s intimate, resilient spirit. The child, Luna, passed away months later, leaving a lasting emotional imprint on the project and its team.
Meanwhile, one of the critics’ and audience favorites, La casa, adapted from Paco Roca’s graphic novel, barely claimed Biznagas. It did win the Audience Award, along with Best Screenplay and Best Music, three recognitions but not the top prize. Another popular title, Nina by Andrea Jaurrieta, could not escape a Special Jury Prize from the Critics. The festival also highlighted Los pequeños amores by Celia Rico, which continued her thread of intimate, revealing storytelling. It secured Best Supporting Actress for Adriana Ozores and a Special Jury Prize for cinephiles, signaling broad admiration even when top prizes eluded the film.
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What did surprise the observers were the acting categories, marked by bold, unexpected turns. Luis Zahera earned Best Actor for a stark shift in his performance in Pájaros, while the Argentine actor Joaquín Furriel shared the Best Lead Actor laurels for a morally charged role in Descansar en paz. Gabriel Goity, known for the Argentine film directed by Sebastián Borensztein, received Best Supporting Actor. In the female categories, Lola Amores, the Cuban talent, triumphed as Best Actress for La mujer salvaje, a film that confronts everyday violence. Adriana Ozores, celebrated for Los amores pequeños, earned Best Supporting Actress for a performance that reinforced the film’s emotional depth. These wins illustrated the festival’s commitment to recognizing a wide spectrum of voices and experiences across Spanish-speaking cinema.