Juan Antonio Bayona received the award for Best Director for ‘The Snowman Society’ at the eleventh edition of the Platino Awards in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The director and his film were the big winners of the Ibero-American cinema awards ceremony held in Riviera Maya. The Spanish film industry dominated the event, winning 16 out of the 23 categories awarded. Bayona’s film won six awards out of seven categories it was nominated for, including Best Director and Best Ibero-American Fiction Film. In his acceptance speech, Bayona emphasized the importance of cinema as a tool for expression and criticized those who are against the film industry, linking it to the situation in Argentina under new leadership.
Bayona highlighted his humble roots and the influence of his parents in his career, mentioning that education and culture were always important to them. He also mentioned the success of his film, with over 250 million viewers worldwide, making it the third most viewed film of the year and the most popular Spanish film on Netflix. ‘The Snowman Society’ also won awards for Best Editing, Cinematography, and Sound Direction. The Platino Awards were presented by actresses Majida Issa and Esmeralda Pimentel, who stressed the importance of Spanish as a common language.
Other Spanish winners included ‘20,000 Species of Bees’, which won four awards, including Best Screenplay, Best First Feature Film, and awards for its values in education and acting. Director Estibaliz Urresola praised the diversity of the Basque Country and called for an end to objectification. ‘Robot Dreams’ by Pablo Berger won the award for Best Animated Film and Best Original Music. Laia Costa won Best Female Performance for ‘Un Amor’, while Enzo Vogrincic won Best Male Performance for ‘The Snowman Society’. Argentina actress Cecilia Roth won an award at the gala for her contribution to Ibero-American cinema.
The Spanish success continued with awards in various categories, including Best Supporting Actor and Actress in miniseries or television series. Spain also won Best Ibero-American Fiction Comedy with ‘Under Therapy’ by Gerardo Herrero. Other winners include Daniel Burman for Best Series Creator for ‘Iosi, the Repentant Spy’, and Maite Alberdi’s ‘Infinite Memory’ won Best Documentary. The Platino for Art Direction went to Rodrigo Bazaes for ‘The Count’ by Pablo Larraín. The event also honored actress Cecilia Roth with a Lifetime Achievement Award and paid tribute to the late Rocío Durcal, who had a successful career in Spain and Mexico.
The Platino Awards celebrated the best of Ibero-American cinema, with a strong showing from Spanish films and talent. The event highlighted the importance of culture and artistic expression in promoting unity and understanding among Spanish-speaking countries. Juan Antonio Bayona’s success with ‘The Snowman Society’ showcased the power of storytelling and the impact of film on a global audience. The awards ceremony recognized the contributions of actors, directors, and creators in shaping the vibrant and diverse landscape of Ibero-American cinema.
