This year, the Spanish film industry is once again in the spotlight as the nominees for the milestone 40th Goya Awards ceremony have been announced. Leading the pack is the drama ‘Los domingos’ by director Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, which received an impressive thirteen nominations, including top categories such as Best Film, Best Director, and four acting nods. This success comes as no surprise—the film has already won over both audiences and critics, and now the academy has cemented its status as the frontrunner.
However, the race for the statuettes promises to be intense. Hot on the leader’s heels is ‘Sirât’—Spain’s official submission for the Oscars, which has already gained international recognition. ‘Sirât’ has earned eleven nominations, including Best Film and Best Director for Óliver Laxe. This year, competition in the main categories is particularly fierce, keeping the outcome uncertain until the very end.
Full list of nominees
Other prominent contenders include ‘Maspalomas’ with nine nominations, ‘La cena’ with eight, and ‘Sorda’, ‘El cautivo’, and ‘Los tigres’, each vying for seven awards. ‘Romería’, directed by Carla Simón, secured six nominations, but despite its success, it did not make the shortlist for Best Film. The final list for Best Film includes ‘Los domingos’, ‘Sirât’, ‘La cena’, ‘Maspalomas’, and ‘Sorda’.
This year, the ceremony will be held in Barcelona, welcoming stars and guests on February 28. The organizers deliberately chose this date: it marks the fortieth anniversary of the award’s founding. Actor Luis Tosar and singer Rigoberta Bandini will debut as hosts of the evening. They have already promised a dynamic, musical show that will be unlike any previous editions.
Anniversary and Tradition
The anniversary ceremony promises not only to be a celebration for the nominees, but also an event for all of Spanish culture. Organizers are preparing a special program to emphasize the significance of the date. This year, the spotlight is on new names and fresh voices in cinema, without forgetting established masters. Among the honorary guests is director and screenwriter Gonzalo Suárez, who will receive the Goya Award for lifetime achievement. For Suárez, this honor is a welcome acknowledgment of his career, though he notes with a touch of sadness that he is no longer making films.
Anticipation is building among film fans ahead of the upcoming ceremony. Barcelona is preparing for a surge of visitors, and tickets are selling at record speed. This year, organizers promise not only the traditional celebration of the winners, but also plenty of surprises for the audience.
The intrigue of the evening
Among the nominees are both established stars and fresh faces, adding a special edge to the ceremony. The acting categories promise a fierce contest, with several newcomers poised to challenge seasoned performers. Critics are already making their predictions, but the final list of winners always brings surprises.
All eyes are on how the anniversary ceremony in Barcelona will unfold. Organizers are betting on live music, unexpected performances, and creative twists. The hosts admit they want to surprise the audience and make the evening truly memorable. Still, the spotlight will ultimately be on the winners—names the country will only learn at the close of the night.
