Goya Awards 2023: Contenders and Favorites Across the Categories

February 11 approaches and with that date the Goya Awards 2023 will unfold at the FIBES Convention and Exhibition Center in Seville. In its 37th edition, the Film Academy has decided to broaden the nominee list for most categories as the pool of applicants has grown from four to five. Therefore, predicting the statuette this year feels especially challenging on the big night of Spanish cinema. This shift signals a vibrant competition with fresh faces and renewed momentum in the national film scene. This preview aims to guide viewers through the key contenders and what to expect on award night. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Perhaps that very dynamism is why this year’s Goya Awards have drafted an interactive twist. A virtual cheer is available, a free game that lets fans try to predict the winners for February 11. The top prize for the sharpest guesser is compelling: an invitation to the 2024 Goya Awards premiere with a companion, including travel and lodging. Additionally, ten more fans will receive the chance to experience Spanish cinema next year by attending ten different films free of charge, with an accompanying person, throughout 2023. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

If you feel a bit overwhelmed, fear not. This guide highlights our favorites in each category, offering a practical read for fans following the races across the ballot. The aim is to provide clarity about the principal contenders and illuminate why they stand out to judges and audiences alike. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

best movie

Two films vie in multiple categories, with the overall best film crowned as the top performer among them. Both As bestas and Alcarràs present persuasive arguments for the figurine. Sorogoyen’s work has delivered a devastating performance at the box office and earned the most nominations, while Carla Simón has already collected a string of accolades for Alcarràs, including a Berlinale Golden Bear. Other nominees include Cinco Lobitos by Pilar Palomero, La maternal, and Modelo 77 by Alberto Rodríguez. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

best direction

Here a familiar rivalry unfolds. Sorogoyen and Simón meet again, a reunion that could shape the prize distribution or reinforce the current favorites. Pilar Palomero, Alberto Rodríguez, and Carlos Vermut for Mantícora will attempt to shake the balance and complicate the field. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Original Screenplay

A fresh duel unfolds with a potential partnership. The Goya is likely to go to the duo Arnau Vilaró and Carla Simón, or to Isabel Peña and Rodrigo Sorogoyen. They could also contend with Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, Carlos Vermut, and the team behind Modelo 77, Alberto Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Adapted Screenplay

Guillem Clua and Oriol Paulo have an advantage thanks to their work on Los renglones torcidos de Dios. The field also includes the trio One year featuring Carlota Pereda Cerdita, Paul Urkijo Alijo Irati, David Muñoz, and Félix Viscarret Don’t Look In The Eyes, and Fran Araújo, Isa Campo, and Isaki Lacuesta for night. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

The best actor

Frontrunners for lead actor include Javier Gutiérrez for Modelo 77 and Nacho Sánchez for Mantícora. Denis Ménochet for As bestas, Luis Tosar for En los márgenes, and Miguel Herrán for Modelo 77 are close behind, ready to surge on any given night. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Actress

Laia Costa for Five wolves appears to be a strong favorite, given the remarkable performance in Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s film. She competes with Marina Foïs for As bestas, Anna Castillo for Wild Sunflowers, Bárbara Lennie for God’s crooked lines, and Vicky Luengo for Suro. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Supporting Actor

The roles played by the Anta brothers in As bestas are pivotal for Sorogoyen’s film, yet Luis Zahera could lead the pack in Seville. His on-screen brother Diego Anido, Ramón Barea for Cinco Lobitos, Fernando Tejero for Modelo 77, and Jesús Carroza for Modelo 77 are also in contention. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Supporting Actress

Susi Sánchez delivers standout work in Five Wolves, placing her at the fore. Marie Colomb for As bestas, Carmen Machi for Cerdita, Penélope Cruz for En los márgenes, and Ángela Cervantes for La maternal remain strong challengers. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best New Actor

Alcarràs’s festival success is partly attributed to Albert Bosch’s talent, while the favorite for best new actor previously won a Goya in that category. Telmo Irureta for The Rite of Spring may challenge him, with Jordi Pujol Dolcet, Mikel Bustamante for Five little wolves, and Christian Checa for On the Margins rounding out the field. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best New Actress

Laura Galán embodies the soul of Cerdita and appears poised to claim a leading role in February 11’s ceremony. Other strong contenders include Ana Otín for Alcarràs, Luna Pamies for El agua, Valeria Sorolla for The Rite of Spring, and Zoe Stein for Mantícora. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best New Director

The night’s most talked about prize, this category, sees a surprise contender in Alauda Ruiz de Azúa for Cinco Lobitos, with Juan Diego Botto for En los márgenes and Carlota Pereda for Cerdita also in the mix. Elena López Riera for El agua and Mikel Gurrea for Suro complete the field. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Documentary Film

The frontrunner is I am seriously sorry. Other nominees include Labordeta, a man of nothing more, Oswald, Kalpazana, To the women of Spain, María Lejárraga, and El sostre groc. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Animated Film

Tadeo Jones 3 The Emerald Table carries the legacy of a popular franchise, while Black is Beltza II Ainhoa holds strong Oscar-caliber chances. Also competing are Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, Mud Demons, and Unicorn Wars. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Ibero-American Film

Argentina, 1985 stands as the Oscar hopeful; it faces competition from 1976 in Chile, La Jauría in Colombia, Noche de fuego in Mexico, and Utama in Bolivia. The outcome will reflect broader Latin American cinema trends. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best European Film

Belfast, a British portrayal of childhood in a conflict zone, is a frequent favorite. Other contenders include Hand of God, Worst Person in the World, Lost Illusions, and A Small World. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Cinematography

As bestas holds an edge here, sharing the spotlight with Alcarràs, Cinco Lobitos, Official Competition, and Modelo 77. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Sound

Alcarràs, Cinco Lobitos, Modelo 77, and One Year, One Night remain strong contenders, with Sorogoyen’s projects also favored in this category. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Film Mount

A renewed duel surfaces between Sorogoyen’s films and Carla Simón’s Alcarràs. The nominations for Alcarràs, Cinco Lobitos, and One Year One Night complete the field. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Original Song

Sentiendo lo mucho by Joaquín Sabina and Leiva leads for the film of the same name, slightly ahead of En los margenes by Eduardo Cruz and Rozalén. Also in contention are Izena duena bada by Aránzazu Calleja, A Paradise in the South by Paloma Peñarrubia Ruiz and Vanesa Benítez Zamora for La vida chipén, and Batalla by Joseba Beristain for Unicorn Wars. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)

Best Original Music

Despite the Sabina and Leiva song’s popularity, Los renglones torcidos de Dios remains a favorite for best original music. Other nominations include As bestas, Irati, Las niñas de cristal, and Modelo 77. (Citation: Goya Awards coverage)