SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain — The vibrant, often surreal landscape of Ibero-American animation reached a new zenith this week as the 9th Quirino Awards concluded in the sun-drenched capital of Tenerife. The ceremony, which has become the definitive bellwether for the creative health of animation industries across Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, served as a powerful reminder that the region’s storytelling prowess is transcending borders and challenging global conventions.
The Reign of Alberto Vázquez: A Master of the Macabre
The headline of the evening belonged to the Galician auteur Alberto Vázquez, whose feature film Decorado secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award. Vázquez, a name synonymous with the avant-garde spirit of Spanish animation, has now etched his name into the Quirino history books for the third time.
Decorado is not a film for the faint of heart. It serves as a biting, bruising meditation on identity, existential malaise, and the performative nature of human existence in a society obsessed with the "surface." By winning this year’s top prize, Vázquez reinforces his status as a critical darling; the film previously earned the coveted Goya Award for Best Animated Feature this past February.
The win is the result of a massive collaborative effort, showcasing the power of cross-border co-productions. The film represents a synergy between Spanish production houses—María y Arnold AIE, Abano Producións, UniKo, and Glow Animation—and the Portuguese powerhouse Sardinha em Lata. This victory marks a continuum of excellence for Vázquez, who previously took home Quirino honors for his 2018 short film of the same title, as well as the 2021 masterpiece Homeless Home.
A Global Stage: Chronology of the Winners
The ceremony, held in the historic heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, saw a distribution of accolades that spanned five nations, underscoring the geographical diversity of the industry. From the 265 original submissions, the international jury navigated a complex field of artistry to settle on a diverse roster of winners.
The awards were split with remarkable symmetry between the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America, a testament to the strengthening ties between these creative communities. Spain led the count with three major wins, while Brazil, Portugal, and Colombia each claimed two, with Argentina rounding out the winners’ circle.
The Winners’ Roster
- Best Feature Film: Decorado (Spain/Portugal)
- Best Series: There Is Something Behind You – Season 1 (Colombia)
- Best Short Film: Dog Alone (Portugal/France)
- Best School Short Film: Ballad of Fishes and Birds (Colombia/Spain)
- Best Music Video: Paulinha (Portugal)
- Best Commissioned Film: 18 Months (Brazil)
- Best Video Game Animation: Stars in the Trash (Spain)
Colombia’s Rising Tide and Portuguese Poignancy
Beyond the headlines of Vázquez, the festival saw a significant "punching above its weight" from Colombia. The Bogotá-based Careloko Producciones secured the Best Series award for There Is Something Behind You. Directed by Julián Gómez Reyes and backed by the Abrecámara public fund, the series has been praised for its sophisticated balance of suspense and children’s-targeted narrative, proving that the Colombian industry is capable of producing high-concept, genre-driven content that resonates on an international stage.
Meanwhile, Portugal demonstrated its strength in emotive, smaller-scale storytelling. Marta Reis Andrade’s Dog Alone, a 2D fable exploring the intricate, often painful ties of family and the quiet agony of loneliness, claimed Best Short Film. The project, a collaborative effort between BAP Animation Studio and France’s Ikki Films, has already enjoyed a triumphant festival circuit, appearing at major global showcases like AFI Fest and the Valladolid International Film Festival.
Technical Mastery: The "Hidden" Heroes
While the feature and series categories garner the most attention, the Quirino Awards remain unique for their deep dive into the technical disciplines that make animation possible. The 9th edition placed a spotlight on the craftspeople whose work often goes uncredited in mainstream discourse.
The technical jury, chaired by the acclaimed Brazilian producer Cesar Cabral—himself a 2022 winner for Bob Cuspe—emphasized that animation is as much about sound, design, and development as it is about plot.
- Best Visual Development: Brazilian artist Rosana Urbes took home the prize for Safo, showcasing a mastery of color and aesthetic world-building.
- Best Animation Design: The Argentina-Mexico co-production My Gut Friend, directed by José Manuel Lo Bianco and Mariano Andrés Bergara, was lauded for its distinct structural approach.
- Best Sound Design and Original Music: Spain’s The Quinta’s Ghost, directed by James A. Castillo, secured this honor. Having already made the Oscars shortlist, the film’s sonic landscape was described by jurors as "a character in its own right," elevating the film’s atmospheric intensity.
Official Perspectives and Juror Insight
The composition of this year’s jury was a masterclass in international perspective. Chaired by Cesar Cabral, the panel included industry heavyweights such as Ireland’s Moe Honan, the Philippines’ Marilyn Montano, Colombian-American producer Martha Sepúlveda, and Croatia’s Krešimir Zubčić.
In post-ceremony briefings, the jury noted that the standard of submissions has increased exponentially since the Quirino Awards began. "We aren’t just looking at animation as a medium for entertainment anymore," noted jury member Martha Sepúlveda. "We are looking at it as a serious, critical tool for social commentary and philosophical exploration. The entries this year forced us to confront themes of trauma, identity, and the digital future in ways that felt urgent."
Implications: The Future of Ibero-American Animation
The 9th Quirino Awards serve as more than just a trophy ceremony; they act as a barometer for the health of the Ibero-American creative economy. The trend toward international co-productions—such as those seen in Decorado and Ballad of Fishes and Birds—is no longer an exception; it is the industry standard.
By pooling resources across borders, these nations are successfully mitigating the financial risks inherent in high-quality animation while simultaneously expanding their cultural reach. The heavy involvement of public funds, such as Colombia’s Abrecámara, indicates that governments in the region are finally recognizing animation as a pillar of cultural export and a vital economic driver.
Furthermore, the inclusion of "Best Video Game Animation" (won this year by Stars in the Trash) signals that the Quirino Awards are evolving alongside the medium. As the line between interactive entertainment and traditional cinema blurs, the festival is positioning itself at the nexus of this technological and artistic convergence.
Conclusion: A Legacy in the Making
As the lights dimmed in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the sentiment among attendees was one of cautious but profound optimism. The industry has survived the shifting tides of the global streaming era and emerged with a distinct, confident voice.
Alberto Vázquez’s continued success serves as a lighthouse, guiding a new generation of creators to embrace challenging, non-commercial themes. Yet, the breadth of the other winners proves that this is not a one-man show. From the heart-wrenching fables of Portugal to the suspenseful thrillers of Bogotá, the Ibero-American animation industry is currently enjoying a renaissance. The 9th Quirino Awards have not only celebrated these achievements; they have set a high-water mark for the years to come, ensuring that the world continues to look to this region for the next evolution of the animated image.
Pevita Pearce
Asep Darmawan
