Blanca Portillo and Nora Navas have stepped forward with nominations that underscore a powerful year for Spanish cinema. Goya 2023 marks a moment when films like Alcarràs and As Bestas have led the charge, earning wide recognition and positioning Spanish storytelling in the spotlight for audiences across Canada and the United States.
Here are the nominations:
best movie. Alcarràs stands out as a defining entry, signifying a shift toward intimate family dramas and social realism that resonate deeply with viewers. As Bestas mirrors a tense, tightly wound thriller atmosphere, capturing contemporary anxieties and moral questions with sharp craft. Five Little Wolves adds a nuanced layer of character study, while Mami explores intimate family dynamics with emotional clarity. Model 77 contributes a stylish, provocative edge that blends genre and social commentary, expanding the horizon of what modern Spanish cinema can achieve.
best direction
Carla Simón for Alcarràs leads with a poised, meticulous directorial voice that blends documentary-leaning realism with lyrical framing. Rodrigo Sorogoyen for As Bestas brings a relentless, adrenaline-charged approach that elevates suspense through precise pacing. Pilar Palomero for Madre delivers a humane, observant lens on motherhood and generational change. Carlos Vermut for Manticore adds a daring, inventive hand that bends genre conventions. Alberto Rodríguez for Model 77 showcases a crisp, kinetic style that propels the narrative forward with confidence.
Best Actress
Marina Foïs for As Bestas delivers a commanding presence, balancing vulnerability with grit. Laia Costa for Five Wolves embodies resilience and introspection through nuanced performance. Anna Castillo for Wild Sunflowers embodies transformation and fierce determination. Barbara Lennie for God’s Twisted Lines brings a sharp, empathetic intensity. Vicky Luengo for Suro captures an evolving emotional spectrum with honesty and strength.
The best actor
Denis Ménochet for As Bestas projects a haunting moral complexity through restrained, raw performance. Luis Tosar for In the Margins presents a steadfast, human portrait amid social turbulence. Nacho Sánchez for Manticore blends vulnerability with a fierce edge. Javier Gutiérrez for Model 77 embodies a formidable screen presence and disciplined character work. Miguel Herrán for Model 77 combines charisma with a hard-edged moral conflict.
Best Supporting Actress
María Colomb for As Bestas delivers a powerful, stage-like gravitas with quiet authority. Carmen Machi for Pig reveals warmth and honesty that illuminate the film’s gentler moments. Susi Sánchez for Five Wolves brings seasoned depth and a penetrating emotional reach. Penélope Cruz for In the Margins lends a commanding, theatrical resonance. Ángela Cervantes for Who Is a Mother demonstrates perceptive, grounded presence in a pivotal role.
Best Supporting Actor
Diego Anido for As Bestas offers a restrained, credible menace that lingers. Luis Zahera for As Bestas anchors the film with a forceful, constricted energy. Ramón Barea for Five Little Wolves gives a grounded, humane supporting beat. Fernando Tejero for Model 77 provides a lean, impactful performance that heightens tension. Jesús Carroza for Model 77 adds a surprising, sympathetic texture to the ensemble.
Best New Actress
Anna Otín for Alcarràs brings a fresh, lucid presence that anchors the family ensemble. Laura Galán for Pig stands out with a raw, unguarded vitality. Luna Pamies for Water embodies a poised, evolving screen persona. Valeria Sorolla for The Rite of Spring articulates depth beyond years. Zoe Stein for Manticore adds a bold, expressive energy to the breakout cohort.
Best New Actress
Anna Otin for Alcarras highlights a memorable breakthrough performance. Laura Galán, named on behalf of Cerdita, captures a fearless, unfiltered corner of the screen. Luna Pamies for Water marks an impressive debut with quiet intensity. Valeria Sorolla for The Rite of Spring reveals a compelling, adaptable talent. Zoe Stein for Manticore delivers a striking, layered initial impression.
Best New Actor
Alcarràs by Albert Bosch presents rising talent in strong ensemble form. Jordi Pujol Dolcet for Alcarràs demonstrates a natural screen presence that supports the film’s intimate milieu. Mikel Bustamante for Five Little Wolves shows a growing confidence in bringing younger roles to life. For Margins by Christian Checa introduces a notable new voice with a keen eye for social texture. Telmo Irureta for The Rite of Spring offers a dynamic, promising breakout performance.
best production direction
Elisa Sirvent for Alcarràs showcases a cohesive, vivid production design that serves the film’s rural realism. Carmen Sánchez de la Vega for As Bestas brings a gritty, tactile sense of space that heightens tension. Sara García for The Pig delivers a practical, believable production milieu. Maria José Díez for Cinco Lobitos conveys a lived-in, familial aesthetic. For Manuela Ocon for Model 77 the production team blends modern polish with a bittersweet edge.
best original song
In the Margins, by Eduardo Cruz and Maika Rozalén offers a poignant, melodic anchor. Izena Duena Bada by Aranzazu Calleja, Maite Arroitajáuregui and Paul Urkijo brings a culturally rich, emotionally resonant piece. A Paradise in the South by Paloma Peñarrubia and Vanesa Benítez carries a warm, cinematic glow. Feeling Much by Juaquín Sabina and Leiva delivers a memorable, vocal-driven moment that lingers.
Best Editing Short Film
Emotional Architecture, Child, Wires, Delivery, Deaf — each title marks a distinct editing approach, shaping rhythm, tension, and emotional throughlines across often compact narratives. The editors demonstrate a keen sense of pace and structure, ensuring every beat lands with precision.
best short documentary
Dance with Rose, La Gabia, To Curse. A Love Song to Sarajevo, Memory, Traces of the Soul — these documentaries illuminate personal and collective memory, offering intimate windows into history, culture, and resilience. The work underlines how documentary form can blend memory with witness, creating a lasting impression on audiences.
Best animated short film
Longest Night Dawns, Connected, First Thing, Spring Always Comes Back, Loop — a vibrant slate that showcases creative range in animation. The winners in this category highlight bold visuals, inventive storytelling, and a capacity to convey complex ideas through motion and color.
The best makeup and hairstyling
Irene Pedrosa and Jesús Gil for As Bestas bring a grounded realism to the look of the characters. Paloma Lozano and Nacho Díaz for Cerdita contribute a striking, character-defining aesthetic. Mercy Sarai Rodríguez, Raquel González, Óscar de Monte craft looks that support dramatic shifts. Montse Santfeliu, Carolina Atxukarro, Pablo Perona for The Crooked Lines of God add period accuracy and expressive texture. Yolanda Piña, Felix Terrero, Modelo 77 complete the range of makeup and hairstyling excellence.
best production direction
Elisa Sirvent for Alcarràs again stands out with a production vision that feels cohesive and immersive. Carmen Sánchez de la Vega for As Bestas strengthens the film through tactile, believable environments. Sara García for The Pig emphasizes practical, lived-in settings. Maria José Díez for Cinco Lobitos reinforces homefront detail. For Manuela Ocon for Model 77 the overall production direction balances modern energy with emotional undercurrents.