Málaga Festival Shines Spotlight on Ibero-American Cinema with Golden Biznaga Awards

This past Saturday, the Málaga Festival celebrated the vibrant world of Ibero-American cinema, awarding the coveted Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Feature Film to "I Will Not Die of Love," the debut film directed by Marta Matute. The poignant exploration of dementia, drawn from Matute's personal experience with her mother, captivated audiences and critics alike, earning accolades not just for its direction but also for standout performances by Júlia Mascort, who won Best Actress, and Tomás del Estal, honored as Best Supporting Actor. The jury, chaired by renowned filmmaker Jaione Camborda, also recognized "Iván Hadoum," the inaugural cinematic effort by Andalusian director Ian de la Rosa, which earned the jury's special award as well as the Biznaga for Best Screenplay. The impressive performance of Silver Chicón, a trans actor in the film, was acknowledged with a special mention for Best Male Performance. The narrative, an emotional tale set in an Almerian greenhouse, highlights the struggles of love and labor conflicts, resonating deeply with audiences. Among the ten films vying for attention, the Mexican drama "The Garden We Dreamed Of," directed by Joaquín del Paso, emerged victorious, securing the title of Best Ibero-American Film. The film, which poignantly addresses issues of immigration and environmental concerns, also won Best Direction for del Paso and Best Cinematography for Gökhan Tiryaki. In a notable mention, Nicolás Zárate snagged the award for Best Male Performance for his role in the Chilean film "Hangar Rojo," which also garnered accolades for Best Editing and was recognized with both the Critics Award and one of two audience awards, the other going to "Pioneras: They Just Wanted to Play" directed by Marta Díaz de Lope Díaz. A special mention was given to young actress Ángeles Pradal for her impressive role in "Ángeles," a collaborative effort between Mexico and Argentina helmed by Paula Markovitch. Likewise, María Magdalena Sanizo, a Quechua actress, received the award for Best Supporting Female Performance for her contribution to the co-production "The Condors Daughter," which also clinched the prize for Best Music, awarded to composers Cergio Prudencio and Marcelo Guerrero. As a significant highlight, the Golden Biznagas for both Best Spanish and Ibero-American Films each carry a monetary prize of €8,000, encouraging further cinematic pursuits. The festival's 29th edition featured a highly competitive official lineup, consisting of twelve Spanish feature films and ten Ibero-American contributions, marking nine days dedicated to showcasing Spanish-language cinema. The official competition came to a close with a spirited gala where jurors, including esteemed personalities like director Daniela Michel, writer Santiago Roncagliolo, actress Loreto Mauleón, director Belén Funes, actor Gastón Pauls, and writer Rosa Montero, deliberated on the winning selections in a spirited cultural exchange. In the documentary sector, "The Map to Touch You" received the Silver Biznaga for its tender exploration of motherhood by Mercedes Afonso, while the documentary category see a special mention awarded to "Dirty" by actress and creator Bàrbara Mestanza, celebrating her personal journey following a sexual assault. Additionally, Maria Molina Peiró was recognized with the Best Direction award for "Like Any Mortal," a co-production between the Netherlands and Spain, while the jury's special award went to "God's Voice," a collaborative project from Brazil and Spain directed by Miguel Antunes Ramos. With a successful culmination of this year's festival, the Málaga Festival continues to promise a dynamic platform for showcasing the diverse and rich tapestry of Ibero-American storytelling in cinema. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2