Basque cinema clinches awards at the Goyas

The Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences held the Goya Awards ceremony in Malaga last Saturday, January 25. While the Basque film industry was represented with over 30 nominations, the number of awards announced at the event was far from that figure.

La trinchera infinita, directed by Jon Garaño, Aitor Arregi and José Mari Goenaga, came to the ceremony with 15 nominations and best picture from the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Feroz Awards. The film ended up winning two Goyas: Best Actress for Belén Cuesta, and Best Sound for Alazne Ameztoi, Iñaki Díez, and Xanti Salvador.

Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia (The Platform) and Aritz Moreno (Ventajas de viajar en tren) were in the running for Best New Director but the award ultimately went to Belén Funes for La hija del ladrón. However, The Platform did win the award for Best Special Effects.

Alberto Iglesias went home with the award for Best Soundtrack for Dolor y Gloria (Pain and Glory). The San Sebastian-born musician now has 11 Goyas to his name.

The biggest winner of the evening was, in fact, Almodovar’s Dolor y Gloria, with seven Goya awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor.