With the buzz around Spanish cinema reaching new heights, contenders for the 2023 Goya Awards are gearing up for the moment they can claim the coveted statuette. February 11 at the FIBES Convention and Exhibition Center in Seville offered a glimpse into how translators navigated famous names like Penélope Cruz and Luis Tosar, while Javier Bardem stood out as a perennial favorite. The ceremony looms large, and with it the weight of award history and national pride.
Two standout figures rise prominently in the Best Actor race. Javier Gutiérrez remains a formidable presence, while Nacho Sánchez is widely regarded as the frontrunner thanks to his performances in Modelo 77 and Mantícora. The field also features Denis Ménochet and Luis Tosar for En los márgenes, as well as Miguel Herrán, Gutiérrez’s co-star in Modelo 77, adding depth to a highly competitive lineup that includes As bestas.
On the actress side, Laia Costa appears to hold a leading position in the Best Actress race. Marina Foïs delivers notable work in As bestas, Anna Castillo shines in Wild Sunflowers, and Vicky Luengo earns praise for her role in Suro. Yet betting pools consistently flag Bárbara Lennie as Costa’s main rival for The Crooked Lines of God. Lennie first drew major attention with Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s Cinco Lobitos, which earned her the Feroz award and helped establish her as a rising star in Spanish cinema.
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Luis Zahera leads the field for Best Supporting Actor, buoyed by his portrayal of one of the Anta brothers in As bestas, a performance that already won the Feroz trophy. His fictional relative Diego Anido is also among the contenders, alongside Ramón Barea for Cinco Lobitos, Fernando Tejero, and Jesús Carroza for Modelo 77. The category is widely considered a talent-packed race. Close behind are Susi Sánchez and other notable performers whose work in Cinco Lobitos and related projects keeps the competition fierce. In Best Supporting Actress, Susi Sánchez is favored for her role in Cinco Lobitos, a performance that helped secure the Feroz. Penélope Cruz for En los márgenes, Marie Colomb for As bestas, Carmen Machi for Cerdita, and Ángela Cervantes for La maternal will be in pursuit of that leading edge.
Turnover in Best New Actor suggests a contest between two emerging figures. Albert Bosch drew attention for Alcarràs, but Telmo Irureta in The Rite of Spring could shift the balance. Jordi Pujol Dolcet, Bosch’s collaborator in Carla Simón’s film, remains a strong candidate, with Christian Checa in On the Margins and Mikel Bustamante in Cinco Lobitos also in the mix. In Best New Actress, Cerdita’s Laura Galán has helped reshape the field, while Ana Otín in Alcarràs, Luna Pamies in El agua, Valeria Sorolla in The Rite of Spring, and Zoe Stein in Manticore are among the leading contenders. Many observers view Hoban as a clear front‑runner, illustrating a year rich with outstanding performances across Spanish cinema. — attribution: Goya Awards [citation: Goya Awards]
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