The 9th Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards concluded this past Friday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, with a vibrant ceremony that celebrated the remarkable diversity and expansive creative landscape of animation across the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. The prestigious event, a cornerstone for the promotion and recognition of Ibero-American animated productions, honored outstanding works that spanned multiple countries and categories, underscoring the region’s growing influence on the global animation stage.
This year’s accolades were distributed across five nations, showcasing a healthy geographical spread of talent. Spain emerged as a dominant force, securing three awards, a testament to its robust animation industry. Portugal and Brazil each garnered two awards, highlighting their significant contributions, while Colombia also received two accolades, reflecting its burgeoning animation sector. Argentina rounded out the list of honored nations with one award, further emphasizing the collective strength of Ibero-American animation. The 265 submissions considered by the international jury reflected a broad spectrum of artistic approaches and technical innovations, encompassing achievements in visual development, character design, sound design, and original musical scores.
Esteemed Winners Illuminate the Ibero-American Animation Scene
At the heart of the evening’s recognition were the top honors, which celebrated excellence in feature film, series, and short film categories. Decorado, a visually arresting feature film directed by the acclaimed Galician artist Alberto Vázquez, was awarded Best Feature Film. Vázquez, renowned for his distinctive style and thematic depth, has a history of success at the Quirino Awards, further solidifying his position as a leading voice in animated cinema.
The award for Best Series was presented to There Is Something Behind You – Season 1, a captivating production helmed by Julián Gómez Reyes. This series has garnered attention for its ability to blend suspenseful narratives with explorations of universal childhood anxieties, making it a standout in the animated television landscape.
In the highly competitive Best Short Film category, Dog Alone, directed by Marta Reis Andrade, took home the coveted prize. This poignant 2D animated fable has resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning selection at approximately 40 international festivals, a clear indicator of its universal appeal and artistic merit.
Deep Dive into the Award-Winning Productions
Decorado: A Masterpiece of Identity and Illusion
Alberto Vázquez’s Decorado delves into profound themes of identity, societal pressures, and the often-disillusioning nature of appearances. Building upon the foundation of his earlier short film of the same name, the feature film is a testament to Vázquez’s evolving artistic vision. The production is a significant co-venture, involving Spanish companies María y Arnold AIE, Abano Producións, Uniko, and Glow Animation, alongside Portugal’s Sardinha em Lata. This collaboration highlights the increasing trend of cross-border partnerships in Ibero-American animation, pooling resources and creative expertise. Vázquez’s previous accolades at the Quirino Awards include Best Short Film wins for Decorado in 2018 and Homeless Home in 2021. His work on Unicorn Wars also received a nomination in 2023, marking a consistent presence and significant impact at the awards. The win for Decorado further cements his status as a consistently recognized innovator within the field.
There Is Something Behind You: Navigating Childhood Fears with Animation
Julián Gómez Reyes’s There Is Something Behind You offers a compelling narrative that speaks directly to the experiences of young viewers. The series masterfully intertwines suspenseful storytelling with relatable explorations of everyday fears and the allure of the unexplained. Written and directed by Reyes, the production is a product of Careloko Producciones in Bogotá, Colombia. The first season of this children’s animated series benefited from the support of Colombia’s Abreâmara public fund and achieved widespread distribution through airing on six public television channels, demonstrating a strong commitment to accessible and culturally relevant children’s programming. The success of There Is Something Behind You underscores Colombia’s growing capacity to produce high-quality animated content for a global audience.
Dog Alone: An Intimate Tale of Connection
Marta Reis Andrade’s Dog Alone is a beautifully crafted 2D animated film that explores the universal themes of loneliness and the enduring power of family reconnection. The narrative artfully blends elements of reality and imagination, creating an immersive and emotionally resonant experience for viewers. This Portuguese-French co-production, brought to life by BAP – Animation Studio and Ikki Films, has enjoyed a remarkably successful festival run, with selections at over 40 international events. This widespread recognition is a testament to the film’s universal storytelling and delicate animation, positioning it as a significant achievement in the short film category.
A Spectrum of Excellence: Additional Award Categories
Beyond the headline awards, the Quirino Awards recognized excellence across a broader range of categories, showcasing the multifaceted nature of animated production:
- Best School Short Film: Ballad of Fishes and Birds by Anny Uribe and Juan José Arévalo earned this honor, highlighting the promising talent emerging from educational institutions across the region.
- Best Music Video: Paulinha, an animated piece created for musician Raul Manarte by Ana Marta Mendes, was recognized for its innovative integration of animation and music.
- Best Commissioned Film: 18 Months by Paulo Garcia and Natalia Gouvea was celebrated for its impactful storytelling within a commercial or client-driven context.
- Best Video Game Animation: Stars in the Trash by José Ginés Picó́n López received this award, acknowledging the crucial role of animation in the rapidly expanding video game industry.
Technical Prowess and Artistic Vision Honored
The Quirino Awards also place significant emphasis on the technical and artistic craftsmanship that underpins compelling animation. Several projects were lauded for their exceptional contributions in these areas:
- Best Visual Development: Rosana Urbes’s Safo was recognized for its outstanding visual design, establishing a unique and captivating world.
- Best Animation Design: The award for Best Animation Design went to My Gut Friend by José Manuel Lo Bianco and Mariano Andrés Bergara, celebrating the fluidity and expressiveness of the character animation.
- Best Sound Design and Original Music: James A. Castillo’s The Quinta’s Ghost achieved a dual win in these critical categories, demonstrating a masterful synergy between auditory elements and visual storytelling. This double win underscores the importance of cohesive sound and music in creating immersive animated experiences.
The Quirino Awards: A Catalyst for Ibero-American Animation
Established in 2018, the Quirino Awards have rapidly evolved from a simple awards ceremony into a comprehensive platform for the advancement of Ibero-American animation. Beyond the annual gala, the organization actively fosters industry growth through initiatives such as co-production forums and development labs. These programs provide crucial opportunities for creators to connect, collaborate, and secure funding, thereby nurturing new projects and strengthening the regional animation ecosystem.
The event’s success is significantly bolstered by the support of the Tenerife Council, through Tenerife Tourism and the Tenerife Film Commission. Their commitment, alongside a network of institutional partners and industry organizations, underscores the growing recognition of Ibero-American animation’s economic and cultural significance. This collaborative effort ensures that the Quirino Awards remain a vital engine for innovation, international visibility, and professional development within the sector. The sustained growth of the Quirino Awards mirrors the trajectory of Ibero-American animation itself, which has seen a marked increase in international recognition, festival participation, and market presence over the past decade. Data from industry reports indicate a steady rise in the number of Ibero-American animated productions being submitted to major international festivals and a growing demand for content from the region by global distributors and streaming platforms. This trend suggests a positive feedback loop where awards and industry platforms like the Quirino Awards are both a reflection of and a catalyst for this burgeoning success.
The 2026 edition of the Quirino Awards, by celebrating such a diverse array of talent and projects, has once again reaffirmed its mission to champion and elevate animation from Ibero-America, promising an even brighter future for the art form in the years to come. The continued evolution of these awards will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the global animation landscape.
