A debate has erupted in Catalonia over the fairness and transparency of the national film awards after director Judith Colell’s film ‘Frontera’ received several key prizes at the latest Gaudí ceremony. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that Colell also serves as president of the Catalan Film Academy, the organization responsible for awarding these prestigious prizes. For many in the industry and among viewers, this has raised doubts about the objectivity of the process and sparked discussions of a potential conflict of interest.
Colell herself emphasized in a television interview that she has no access to information about the winners and does not influence the results. She noted that she does not know who receives the awards and does not wish to be involved in selecting the winners. According to her, the voting system is designed so that decisions are made by over 600 industry professionals, rather than a small panel of judges. As the Academy president asserts, candidates do not run aggressive campaigns for votes, and the final choice is left to community members.
Voting details
To be eligible to vote at the Gaudí Awards, one must be a recognized professional in Catalonia’s audiovisual sector. The Academy includes not only active industry workers, but also former nominees and founders of the organization. This year, 640 academy members participated in the voting. The procedure consists of two stages: first, a shortlist of nominees is formed, then the final voting takes place, with the results certified by a notary.
“Frontera” emerged as one of the frontrunners, receiving eight nominations. Ultimately, the film was named Best Picture in Catalan, won the Audience Award, and also received honors for Costume Design and Best Supporting Actress. In the main film category, “Frontera” surpassed titles such as “Esmorza amb mi,” “Estrany riu,” “Molt lluny,” and “Wolfgang.” The Audience Award is determined by online voting on the Academy’s website, where this year 16 films competed, including commercially successful projects in Catalan and other languages.
Reaction and consequences
Continuing its run in Barcelona cinemas, “Frontera” grossed 376,000 euros in five weeks, confirming sustained public interest in both the topic and the film itself. The Academy stresses that the voting system for the Audience Award is safeguarded against manipulation: each vote is unique, and results are verified by a notary. Organization representatives note that success in this category largely depends on how active producers are in the digital space and their ability to mobilize the audience.
The debate over transparency and ethics in awarding prizes is not new to Spain’s cultural community. Such questions have already arisen at other ceremonies, where winners or participants have used the public stage for sharp statements. For example, at a recent awards show, a writer openly criticized regional authorities, which sparked a strong reaction and wide public discussion — you can learn more about this incident in the article about the high-profile speech at the award ceremony.
Context and comparisons
In recent years, Spanish film awards have increasingly become a platform for discussing not only art, but also pressing social and political issues. The growing interest in transparent procedures and jury independence is evident not only in Catalonia, but also nationwide. In 2025, similar controversies surrounded the Goya Awards, when several films supported by state institutions received the top prizes, sparking a wave of criticism in the professional community.
Public debates about the fairness and transparency of awards are becoming increasingly prominent, with the ceremonies themselves turning into arenas for civic expression. Last year in Madrid, there was a case where award organizers were compelled to revise voting rules after accusations of bias. Such incidents highlight that for Spanish society, issues of trust in cultural institutions and the transparency of their operations remain extremely relevant.
