The Festival de Málaga wrapped its 29th edition Saturday with a moving tribute to the late actress Gemma Cuervo and a major win for a fresh voice in Spanish cinema.
Marta Matute’s debut feature, Yo no moriré de amor, took home the Biznaga de Oro for Best Spanish Film, awarded by a jury led by screenwriter and filmmaker Jaione Camborda. The ceremony was held at the Teatro Cervantes.
The film, which explores the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on a young woman’s life and draws from the director’s personal experience caring for her mother, beat out more established names in the Spanish film industry. This win underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing new talent, a trend previously seen with awards for first-time directors like Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s 20.000 especies de abejas and Carla Simón’s Verano 1993.
“Six Biznagas in the last few years have gone to debut films, and all of those films have subsequently won a Goya for Best New Director,” noted gala host Elena Sánchez, also highlighting that five of the winning films were directed by women. The recognition of female filmmakers is a significant moment for the industry.
The success of Matute’s film was mirrored by accolades for its cast. Júlia Mascort earned the Biznaga de Plata for Best Actress, while veteran actor Tomás del Estal was recognized as Best Supporting Actor. “Thank you, Marta, for gifting me your story and your skin,” Mascort said upon accepting her award.
“The motivation for making this film has always been to accompany those who care for a family member and to highlight the emotional and physical toll it takes,” Matute said while accepting the Biznaga de Oro. She then called for more public nursing homes and an improved public system for dependency care, adding passionately, “You can’t do business with this.” Matute also expressed gratitude to those who cared for her mother, saying, “And thank you also to the people who, despite the pain of seeing someone you love disappear, stayed by our side.”
On the Ibero-American front, El jardín que soñamos, directed by Joaquín del Paso, was the big winner, securing the Biznaga de Oro for Best Ibero-American Film and the award for Best Director. Hangar Rojo (a co-production between Chile, Argentina, and Italy) also had a successful night, taking home four awards: Best Male Performance for Nicolás Zárate, Best Editing, the Critics’ Jury Award, and the Audience Award ‘El País’.
