Estibaliz Urresola and JA Bayona are among the favorites as the 38th edition of the Goya Awards approaches, with a strong call for an end to abuses in cinema. The gala will spotlight these themes at the Valladolid fairgrounds next Saturday, and RTVE has announced live coverage starting at 22:00.
From Urresola to Bayona, with Erice, Trueba and Coixet in the mix
Urresola’s 15-nomination drama 20,000 Species of Bees leads the pack, a stark contrast to Bayona’s Snow Society, which brings a sprawling epic and intimate retelling of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. Other strong contenders include Close Your Eyes, marking Víctor Erice’s return to cinema after three decades, They Know This, a film about Eugenio’s life directed by David Trueba, and One Love, Isabel Coixet’s adaptation of Sara Mesa’s novel.
Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, Snow Society is among the standout projects in the running for the Best Film award. The ceremony will feature additional gatherings surrounding the same night’s nominations and the broader cinematic conversation.
Javis and Ana Belén, a bridge between generations, will co-host the gala. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, creators of Paquita Salas and Messiah, are recognized as symbols of renewal in the audiovisual industry, while Ana Belén, a doyenne of the Spanish screen, will join them as partner for the evening. The ceremony aims to push cinema forward as a space of dreams and shared cultural achievement.
More diversity in nominations than ever before
For the first time, women make up a majority of nominees, with 61 percent. Elena Martín is one of two women directing, for Creatura, while Coixet is a leading competitor for Un Amor. Urresola and Itsaso Arana are also recognized as directors in the Best New Direction or related categories for 20,000 Species of Bees and 20,000 Species of Bees respectively. A notable moment sees La Dani, a non-binary actor, nominated for Best New Actor for I Love You Like Crazy, alongside Brianeitor, a prominent internet personality who is experiencing a significant career moment.
In a related turn, the academy has decided to address issues of sexual violence with heightened visibility during the gala. Ana Belén will participate in a moment of solidarity with victims, and the award ceremony will showcase a protocol aimed at preventing and addressing abuse in the industry.
Actress and singer Ana Belén appears in the program as part of the evening’s homage to contributions across generations. The overarching message for the ceremony centers on progress and a forward-looking view of cinema as an aspirational space.
Sigourney Weaver and Juan Mariné, honorary awards
The American actress and producer Sigourney Weaver will receive the Goya International Honor, acknowledging a career that includes iconic roles such as Lieutenant Ripley in Alien and Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist. She becomes the third recipient of this newly established honor, following Cate Blanchett and Juliette Binoche. Alongside Weaver, the esteemed cinematographer and restorer Juan Mariné will be honored with the Goya de Honor at the age of 103, recognized for milestones like filming the funeral of anarchist Buenaventura Durruti in 1936 and documenting the first color Spanish film, La Gata.
Malena and the best actress category
Malena Alterio has emerged as a strong favorite in the best leading actress race, following wins at the Forqué and El Feroz awards for Let No One Sleep, adapted from a Goya novel by Juan José Millás and directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza. Other contenders include Patricia López Arnaiz for the 20,000 Species of Bees nomination, María Vázquez for Matria, Carolina Yuste for They Know It, and Laia Costa for Un Amor.
David Verdaguer and the Best Actor race
David Verdaguer is seen as a principal frontrunner for Best Actor for his portrayal of Eugenio in Saben That. The Catalan actor previously earned a Goya for Best Supporting Actor in Summer 1993 (2017). Other nominees include Manolo Solo for Close Your Eyes, Enric Auquer for The Master Who Promised the Sea, Hovik Keuchkerian for Un Amor, and Alberto Ammann for On Entry.
Music takes center stage
The Goya Awards will feature performances from Amaia, David Bisbal, Estopa, Maria José Llergo, India Martínez, Niña Pastori, Silvia Pérez Cruz, and Salvador Sobral. Nominees also include popular musicians Xoel López, Vetusta Morla, and Rigoberta Bandini, all vying for best original song recognition.
Goyas touring the country since 2019
Since 2019, the Goyas have traveled beyond Madrid, visiting Seville, Málaga, and Valencia, with Valladolid hosting the event this year. The red carpet is open for public visibility and star sightings as the ceremony unfolds across the city.
box score and industry recovery
The Spanish cinema sector continues its recovery from the pandemic, though box office remains below pre-pandemic peaks. The total close to 82 million euros last year contrasts with 94.1 million euros in 2019. The top-grossing film receiving multiple nominations highlights the ongoing vitality and evolving tastes of Spanish audiences [EFE].