ICELAND’S RÚNAR RÚNARSSON, SPAIN’S JAVIER PRIETO DE PAULA AND DIEGO HERRERO, AND MOLDOVA’S OLGA LUCOVNICOVA TAKE HOME THE DANZANTE AWARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL, IBERO-AMERICAN, AND DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS, RESPECTIVELY—EACH RECEIVING €5,000 AND AN OSCAR PRE-SELECTION
ARGENTINA’S UNA MONEDITA, BY MANU VÁZQUEZ SANTANA, WINS THE AUDIENCE AWARD
BEST DEBUT FILMS INCLUDE FRENCH SHORT MORT D’UN ACTEUR AND SPANISH FILMS MARCIANO GARCÍA AND DISONANCIA
The short films O, by Icelandic director Rúnar Rúnarsson; Solo Kim, by Spaniards Javier Prieto de Paula and Diego Herrero; and Object 817, by Moldovan filmmaker Olga Lucovnicova, have won the Danzante Awards for the International, Ibero-American, and Documentary Competitions, respectively. The 53rd edition of the Huesca International Film Festival awarded each of these works a €5,000 cash prize and automatic pre-selection for the Oscars, as the festival is one of six in Spain that qualifies films for the Academy Awards.
The jury of the International Competition awarded the Danzante Prize to O by Rúnar Rúnarsson for its raw emotional depth and visual poetry. The film, which portrays the psychological intimacy of a man in crisis in just 20 minutes, is praised for its formal and narrative mastery: “The film offers a sensitive and subtle immersion, where every gesture carries great weight,” the jury noted.
Solo Kim, by Spaniards Javier Prieto de Paula and Diego Herrero, won the Ibero-American Competition for its complex portrayal of a social story of change and acceptance, centered around a deeply developed protagonist—a racialized individual from the LGBTQ+ community. The film stands out for its powerful cinematography and outstanding cast.
In the Documentary category, Object 817 (Belgium), directed by Olga Lucovnicova, was recognized for revealing a hidden truth through an enigmatic journey. The film brilliantly combines archival footage with evocative and poetic cinematography. It uncovers new information about the third most severe nuclear accident—successfully covered up by the Russian government.
FRENCH AND POLISH PRODUCTIONS ALSO AWARDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL JURY
The International Animation Danzante Prize, with a €2,000 award, went to the French short Volcelest by Éric Briche, praised for its contemplative, visually rich depiction of nature and survival, and their parallels with the human condition.
The Francisco García de Paso Human Values Mention went to Ave Eva (Poland), by Agnieszka Nowosielska, for spotlighting the challenges disabled individuals face in exploring and expressing their sexuality—one of the most human of experiences.
Special Mentions from jurors Ahmed El Housni (Morocco), María Trigo Teixeira (Portugal), and Carla Nieto (Spain) went to Across the Waters by Viv Li (France); Čovjek koji nije mogao šutjeti (The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent), a co-production of Croatia, France, Bulgaria, and Slovenia by Nebojša Slijepčević
MEXICO SHINES IN THE IBERO-AMERICAN COMPETITION
The Ibero-American Danzante “Cacho Pallero” Prize (€2,000 and diploma) was awarded to Domingo Familiar (Mexico) by Gerardo del Razo. The film delivers a raw and unfiltered look into a community facing daily violence and abuse of power, supported by intense storytelling and compelling staging.
Special Mentions from the Ibero-American jury—Hervé Le Phuez (Belgium), Mirella Abrisqueta (Spain), and Gerard Oms (Spain)—were given to Pomo D’Oro by Nerea Sciarra (Spain) and Dime, Mari by Marcos Crisóstomo (Spain)
IBERO-AMERICA ALSO MAKES ITS MARK IN THE DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY
The Ibero-American Documentary Danzante “José Manuel Porquet” (€2,000 and diploma) went to Buscando un burro, a Mexico–Venezuela co-production by Juan Vicente Manrique. The jury praised it for its unexpected story told with humor and tenderness, and its satirical yet powerful reflection on Venezuela’s sociopolitical context, where the search for a donkey becomes a symbol of suppressed freedom of expression.
Special Mentions in this category were awarded to Berthe is Dead but It’s OK (France/Switzerland), by Sacha Trilles and Noon, le pain de Téhéran (France), by Roshanak Roshan
MORT D’UN ACTEUR, MARCIANO GARCÍA, AND DISONANCIA WIN BEST DEBUT FILMS
Debut works are a key part of the festival, with a youth jury wich chose:Mort d’un acteur by Ambroise Rateau (France) – International Competition, Marciano García by Luis Arrojo (Spain) – Ibero-American Competition and Disonancia by Raquel Larrosa (Spain) – Documentary Competition
Special Mentions by the young jury (Raúl Barón Alonso, Ena Herrero Sánchez, Mercedes Lax Otero, Alejandro Vargas Quintana, Elena Cásedas, and Wilson Eduardo Montes) went to Irréprochables (Belgium) by Flore Mercier, Sophie Breyer, and Angèle Bardoux and Playing God, an Italy–France co-production by Matteo Burani
AUDIENCE AWARD AND BEST SCRIPT “JULIO ALEJANDRO”
The awards were rounded out with the Audience Award (sponsored by Aragón TV): Una Monedita by Manu Vázquez Santana (Argentina) and the best Script – Julio Alejandro Award: Minha mãe é uma vaca by Moara Passoni (Brazil)
An additional Special Mention for Best Script went to The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (its second recognition after the International Jury’s mention).