goya This year they introduced the Spanish hashtag #MeToo. On air, a sexual abuse case surrounding a director was raised when three women came forward. Carlos Vermouth, whose name has not been disclosed beyond those three accusers, sparked an earthquake whose full scale is still unfolding. The awards season previewed the same moment, offering a window to reveal the fatigue of women in the profession after years of silence.
Inside a historic year for equality in cinema, the first year with a majority of women nominated (61% versus 37% last year). CIMA, the Association of Women Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media, invited guests to wear paipay as a visual statement, a hashtag that marked the moment. The campaign line, finished as a hashtag, was used to underscore the urgent need for change. Ana Belén spoke at the gala launch to emphasize that there was no issue more pressing this year. She urged supporters to tell victims of sexual violence that they are not alone and that sharing their testimony is a brave act. She added that these stories should spur reporting and action. It was a clear message that the industry must address the issue everywhere, even on the cinema stage, and it drew applause from the audience.
Throughout the evening, the most seasoned professionals voiced their anger most openly about a history of abuses in Spanish cinema, where only a small slice of misconduct is visible. Susi Sánchez, vice president of the Film Academy, asserted that equality should be the norm, not the exception, and echoed Ana Belén in affirming solidarity with victims. A performance by María Jiménez, originally performed in a trio by Niña Pastori, María José Llergo, and India Martínez, was echoed in the acknowledgments by Estíbaliz Urresola, director of 20,000 Bees species. Urresola stressed the importance of more voices saying no to violence and abuse.
Estíbaliz Urresola wore a badge of solidarity with Palestine, a gesture echoed by Alba Flores and other speakers. Nominated actress I love you madly commented that it is hard to celebrate while grave events unfold in Gaza. The evening carried a sense of urgency that extended beyond the awards themselves.
A more activist pink carpet
The red carpet felt warmer and less controlled, with journalists pressing guests on harassment as a central topic. Blanca Romero spoke with conviction, noting that discussing the issue is important, while adding a personal anecdote about staying present in the moment. Belén Rueda highlighted education as a key to ending the problem once and for all, and Malena Alterio emphasized the potential of speakers to bring visibility to a cause that extends beyond professional circles.
Marisa Paredes carried paipay and urged the message #seacabó to reach beyond sexual exploitation, arguing that many troubling issues are ongoing globally. Isabel Coixet reminded the crowd that this campaign should touch all layers of society, not just audiovisual sectors. The shared sentiment was that this is a broad, societal shift rather than a narrow campaign.
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At the ceremony, José Coronado won best supporting actor, following controversial remarks at the Feroz Awards about dictating how and when women should report abuse. He chose silence this time, focusing on his work, and Tristan Ulloa noted the need to address the responsibility of the attackers rather than the victims. Manolo Solo, Coronado’s co-star in Close Your Eyes, spoke against power abuses and all forms of violence, insisting that male dominance is present in every corner of cinema and society.
Pedro Almodóvar voiced support for Vermut’s accusers and urged institutions to offer sustained help to survivors, acknowledging the fear many women still endure. Penélope Cruz criticized the judicial system for failing many, calling it very difficult for a woman to report without feeling defended.
Goya’s best dressed 2024
It’s embarrassing for men
Pedro Sánchez commented on the awards night, noting the Javis’s call for a healthy industry and a healthy society. He stressed that addressing structural violence requires commitments from everyone, including institutions. The government pledged to end this situation and acknowledged that structural violence shames all, particularly men.
In a broader effort, the Ministry of Culture announced a plan to create a unit focused on preventing gender violence in the cultural sector. Its aims include supporting victims of sexist violence. Recently, the Equality Minister and CIMA’s president announced a study on sexual violence in the Spanish audiovisual industry to prevent future abuses. Ernest Urtasun, the event organizer, used the gala to stress the importance of backing women who report abuse and to announce the Ministry of Culture’s actions toward a safer culture for all. Yolanda Díaz also highlighted concerns about insecurity linked to abuse.
Winners of the 2024 Goya Awards: full list
The first Goya year featuring the long-awaited Spanish #MeToo moment proved to be a mix of accountability and celebration, with many hopes for broader awareness in the sector. Fernando Méndez-Leite avoided expanding on the topic, noting that the Academy condemns any form of abuse or violence against women. He also applauded the rising success of women in directing roles across the country, mentioning the triumphs of young directors in multiple awards. Yet a sense of longing lingered for more tangible change and continued progress.