Ninth Edition of the Quirino Ibero-American Animation Awards Announces Nominees Highlighting Regional Growth and Creative Excellence in Tenerife

The ninth edition of the Quirino Ibero-American Animation Awards has officially entered its final phase following the announcement of the 27 nominated works that will compete for the region’s most prestigious animation honors. Representing seven different countries, these finalists were selected from an initial pool of 265 applications, underscoring the high level of competition and the burgeoning creative output of the Ibero-American animation industry. The winners are scheduled to be unveiled during a gala ceremony on April 17 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, a location that has become a central hub for the industry due to its strategic support for audiovisual production.

The announcement of the nominees took place at the Instituto Cervantes in São Paulo, Brazil. This choice of venue was a deliberate move by the organizers to reinforce the cross-continental nature of the awards, which aim to unify the diverse markets of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. By hosting the announcement in Brazil, the Quirino Awards signaled their commitment to fostering a truly integrated Ibero-American space where language and cultural ties serve as a foundation for global cinematic success.

Regional Dominance and the Iberian Surge

The 2024 nominations highlight a particularly strong year for the Iberian Peninsula. Spain leads the field with 11 nominated works, followed closely by Portugal with seven. This dominance reflects years of sustained investment in animation infrastructure and talent development in both nations. In Spain, the industry has benefited from a robust network of production houses and increasing international co-productions, while Portugal has seen a significant rise in the artistic prestige of its short films and independent features.

Across the Atlantic, the Latin American contingent remains formidable. Argentina and Brazil lead the South American representation with six and four nominations, respectively. Colombia and Mexico each secured two nominations, while Chile earned one. The presence of these countries illustrates the resilience of the "Orange Economy" in Latin America, where animation is increasingly viewed not just as entertainment, but as a vital export-oriented industry. Industry analysts note that despite economic fluctuations in the region, the animation sector continues to thrive by leveraging digital technology and unique storytelling traditions that resonate with global audiences.

A Deep Dive into the Best Feature Film Category

The category for Best Feature Film features four distinct works that showcase the technical versatility of modern animation. Among the top contenders is "Decorado," the fourth film from acclaimed Galician director Alberto Vázquez. Known for his dark, satirical style, Vázquez’s latest work is an existential satire that adapts his own 2018 Quirino-winning short film of the same name. Vázquez has previously garnered international acclaim, including Goya Awards, and his nomination reinforces his status as a visionary in adult-oriented animation.

Spain also secures a second spot in this category with "Olivia y el terremoto invisible" (Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake), directed by Irene Iborra. This production utilizes stop-motion animation to tell a poignant drama centered on a 12-year-old girl navigating the emotional "earthquakes" caused by the collapse of her family structure. The use of stop-motion in this context highlights the medium’s ability to convey deep human vulnerability through tactile, physical artistry.

Representing Brazil is "Coração das Trevas" (Heart of Darkness), the debut feature from Rogério Nunes. This ambitious project offers a futuristic reinterpretation of Joseph Conrad’s classic novella, transposing the narrative to a dystopian Rio de Janeiro. The film’s inclusion highlights Brazil’s growing interest in high-concept, genre-bending animation.

Mexico rounds out the category with "Soy Frankelda" (I am Frankelda) by brothers Arturo and Roy Ambriz. This film marks a milestone as the first Mexican stop-motion feature to achieve significant commercial success, surpassing 800,000 viewers in domestic cinemas. The Ambriz brothers are returning favorites to the Quirino Awards, having previously won the Best Series award in 2022 for "Sustos ocultos de Frankelda." Their success points to a growing appetite for local folklore-inspired horror and fantasy in the region.

Excellence in Television Series and Episodic Content

The nominations for Best Series reflect a mix of established global brands and innovative new intellectual properties. Brazil’s "Tainá e os Guardiões da Amazônia" (Tainá and the Guardians of the Amazon), directed by Natália Freitas, returns to the awards with its second season. Having won this category in 2020, the series continues to be a standard-bearer for environmental storytelling and high-quality CGI production aimed at younger audiences.

In contrast, the legendary Spanish series "Pocoyó," directed by Guillermo García Carsí, is nominated for its sixth season. Since its debut, "Pocoyó" has become a global phenomenon, broadcast in over 150 countries. Its nomination nearly a decade after its first appearance at the Quirino Awards speaks to the enduring appeal of its minimalist design and educational value.

Newer voices are also represented, such as Colombia’s "Hay algo detrás de ti" (Something is Behind You), directed by Julián Gómez Reyes. The series follows an enigmatic black cat who leads viewers through various mystery stories, blending suspense with a distinct visual style. From Mexico, Gonzalo Córdova’s "Mujeres con hombreras" (Women with Shoulder Pads) offers a stop-motion comedy for adults. Set in Quito during the 1980s, the series provides a satirical look at social dynamics and historical nostalgia, proving that Ibero-American animation is increasingly catering to mature demographics.

Artistic Innovation in Short Films and Technical Categories

The Short Film category is particularly competitive this year, with Portugal asserting its artistic leadership. "Porque Hoje é Sábado" (Because Today is Saturday) by Alice Eça Guimarães and "Cão Sozinho" (Lonely Dog) by Marta Reis Andrade are the two Portuguese entries. Andrade’s work is noted for transforming a personal experience into a magical-realist fable about family reconnection, a theme that has resonated deeply with festival juries across Europe.

Spain’s entry in this category, "El Fantasma de la Quinta" (The Ghost of the Quinta) by James A. Castillo, is a horror short that explores the final years of the painter Francisco de Goya. By focusing on Goya’s "Black Paintings" and his psychological isolation, the film showcases the potential for animation to engage with art history and national identity. Argentina is represented by "Luz Diabla" (Devil Light), a psychological thriller co-directed by Gervasio Canda, Paula Boffo, and Patricio Plaza. The film delves into the supernatural forces of the Argentine pampa, blending folklore with modern horror tropes.

Beyond the narrative categories, the Quirino Awards also recognize technical mastery in Visual Development, Animation Design, and Sound Design/Original Music. These categories are essential for acknowledging the specialized craftspeople—the riggers, background artists, and composers—whose work is often the backbone of a successful production.

The International Jury and Selection Process

The task of selecting the winners falls to an international jury comprised of five industry leaders from diverse backgrounds. This year’s panel includes:

• Cesar Cabral (Brazil): An award-winning director and producer who took home the Best Feature Film prize in 2022.
• Moe Honan (Ireland): CEO of Moetion Films, bringing a Northern European perspective on co-production and distribution.
• Marilyn Montano (Philippines): Executive Director of PlayLab Animation Studio, representing the growing Asian animation market.
• Martha Sepúlveda (Colombia/USA): Senior Development Executive at CAKE Entertainment, providing insight into international television sales.
• Krešimir Zubčić (Croatia): Content acquisition supervisor at HRT, offering expertise in programming and audience trends.

The diversity of the jury ensures that the winning works are evaluated not only on their local cultural relevance but also on their potential for international export and universal appeal.

Tenerife: A Strategic Epicenter for Animation

The choice of Tenerife as the permanent home for the Quirino Awards is not coincidental. Sponsored by the Cabildo de Tenerife through Turismo de Tenerife and the Tenerife Film Commission, the awards are part of a broader strategy to position the Canary Islands as a premier destination for digital creation. The island offers significant tax incentives for audiovisual productions, which has attracted numerous international studios to establish offices there.

Furthermore, the awards coincide with the Quirino Co-production and Business Forum, which facilitates meetings between producers, distributors, and streaming platforms. This forum has become a vital engine for the industry, allowing creators from Latin America to find European partners and vice versa. By bridging the gap between the two continents, Tenerife acts as a gateway for Ibero-American content to enter the global market.

The Legacy of Quirino Cristiani

The awards are named in honor of Quirino Cristiani, an Italian-born Argentine director who created the world’s first animated feature film, "El Apóstol," in 1917. Long overshadowed by the history of American animation, Cristiani’s legacy was reclaimed by the founders of these awards in 2018 to remind the world that Ibero-America has been a pioneer in the field for over a century.

Since their inception, the Quirino Awards have grown from a niche ceremony into a cornerstone of the regional film calendar. They have successfully fostered a sense of community among animators who previously worked in silos within their respective countries. Today, the "Quirino seal" is a recognized mark of quality that helps films secure slots in major international festivals like Annecy or Berlin.

As the industry prepares for the April 17 ceremony, the 2024 nominations serve as a testament to the health and diversity of Ibero-American animation. From the high-tech digital renders of Spanish series to the hand-crafted stop-motion of Mexican features, the nominated works reflect a region that is no longer just a service provider for foreign studios, but a powerhouse of original intellectual property and world-class storytelling.