Members of the Spanish Film Academy, whose votes decide the Goya Awards each year, now form a group of more than 2,000 people. They embody a wide range of ages, cities of origin, sexual orientations, and social circles, bringing diverse insights into what makes a lentil casserole and a good film. This broad mix means predicting which title will win Best Picture on February 10 carries more uncertainty than usual. This review imagines the criteria and arguments behind each nominated title, helping readers form a well considered opinion when the moment arrives.
‘20,000 species of bees’
Estíbaliz Urresola’s feature debut stands out visually as the potential Cinderella of the lineup. Its cast lacks household names and it isn’t built on a well known literary or historical premise. The director’s name alone may not sway rivals’ voters. Yet beyond its cinematic craft, the film carries significant weight through its subject: the story of a trans girl and the forward looking values it champions. Awards bodies often take pride in honoring such progress. It is worth noting that this film won the Berlinale award the previous year and later collected several prizes at the Malaga Festival as well as the Forqué and Feroz galas. The underdog narrative here turns into a real favourite rather than a mere long shot.
‘Snow Society’
When nominations for the Oscars in two categories were announced, the Goya voters had already cast their final ballots. Still, this title presents a compelling case. It rests on a gripping true story about the fate of climbers who perished in the Andes and the tragic choices made during survival. Critics have responded with broad praise, and the film carries the kind of spectacle and emotional weight that often resonates with voters. Historically, the director has earned strong results for other projects, with three of his four prior features winning major awards in the Goya family, though Best Picture has eluded him so far. Such patterns fuel conversations about whether perseverance will pay off again this year.
‘One Love’
The film adapts a novel that has become a notable cultural phenomenon in recent years and it may benefit from that prestige when ballots are cast. The director brings the book’s essence into a cinematic realm that invites both emotional engagement and scholarly analysis. This list contains a director who previously earned Goya Best Film recognition with two distinct features, a track record that signals strong academy awareness of Catalan cinema. Past outcomes hint that the academy might reward different pathways now, but the film’s literary pedigree and dramatic heft keep it firmly in the conversation.
‘You know this’
This film nods to the early phases of a famed Catalan comedian’s career, using a story that has repeatedly proved appealing to award juries. It recreates a life of an iconic public figure who connected deeply with audiences, and it places that portrait within the broader arena of show business. The narrative leans into tragedy through omission, given the artist’s real life arc. The director’s prior work, which blends historical reflection with pop culture, has been a recurring touchstone for voters and critics alike, keeping this title in the orbit of serious consideration for a top prize.
‘Close your eyes’
The inclusion of this film is marked by a remarkable fact: Víctor Erice, a living legend in cinema, returns with his first new work in decades. His earlier masterpiece is widely cited among the world’s greatest films, which adds a rare weight to this entry. While this is only Erice’s second feature since the late 1980s, it is seen as a respectful gesture to cinema’s power to reveal truth and suspend time. The film pays homage to the craft and asks voters to acknowledge enriched storytelling and lasting impact. Such a project naturally attracts admiration from the academy as it speaks to the core values of filmmaking itself.