The Spanish Oscars – AKA the Goyas – have been given out – with a few suprises!  A great celebration of Spanish film, the event gains more and more coverage each year, with the stars now getting recognised beyond their home country, even in the dizzy heights of Hollywood!  Also, importantly, many international stars are recognising the importance of the event and choosing to attend too – some even being nominated and going on to win prizes!  Although Rachel Weisz didn’t take the Best Actress prize home for her work in “Agora” (the new Alejandro Amenábar film), losing out to Lola Dueñas for “Yo, también”, to be nominated is certainly  great honour for the stunning actress.

Being directed in Agora

In fact her work in Agora did come under the spotlight in several other catagories.  The film was nominated for Best Direction, best screenplay (which it won!), best music, best photography (another one won!), Best Artistic Direction (again, a winner!)…and several more!

Other big winners on the night were “Celda 211″ and “Yo, también”.  Celda 211 in fact won Best Film – a highly prestigious award….And along with it, Best Director (Daniel Monzón) and Best Actor (Luis Tosar).  “Yo, también”‘s Lola Dueñas won the Best Actress award (a difficult feat given she was up against Madrid’s favourite Penelope Cruz!) and the film also feature the best song (“Yo, también).

What won the best entire soundtrack however was “Los Abrazos Rotos”, Pedro Almodovar’s hit film.  The ever-controversial director, whose muse is Penelope Cruz, wasn’t a big winner on the night.  Although bad news for him, it was perhaps good news for the Spanish film industry, that there are more people coming through and that the market isn’t entirely dominated by the director’s films.

Spanish film is gaining so much more importance throughout the world – in recent months we’ve seen Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, starring Penelope Crus and Javier Bardem, hit the big time, Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise filming in Seville and “Vantage Point”‘s premiere come to Salamanca, the city in which the film was based.

Filming in Cadiz

There are also Spanish stars going abroad – Alejandro Amenábar making English speaking films (The Others, Ágora…), Penelope Cruz starring in many hit films including the star-studded “Nine” and Paz Vega also hitting the big time in Hollywood.

Be sure, if you are studying in Spanish school Mester, to enjoy their film nights as party of the activity programme.  They’re free and a great way to boost your Spanish and learn about Spanish culture!