Spanish Animations Dominate Quirino Awards, Claim Top Honors with ‘Robot Dreams,’ ‘Jasmine & Jambo,’ and ‘Sultana’s Dream’
Spanish Animations Dominate Quirino Awards
¡Bienvenidos, queridos lectores! Preparen sus palomitas because we’re diving into the dazzling world of the Quirino Awards. En su séptima edición, this celebration of animation across Spain, Portugal, and Latin America had everyone at the edge of their seats. The awards ceremony, a fabulous mix of eclectic and musical performances, took place at the Teatro Leal in the beautiful Canary Island’s Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Spain, stepping up its game, scooped up cinco of the ten prestigious awards. With an ambiance filled with talent and passion, let’s unwrap the highlights, mi gente!
First off, Pablo Berger’s “Robot Dreams” se llevó the spotlight. This film, stepping into animation for the first time, and already Oscar-nominated, snagged the awards for Best Feature Film and Best Sound Design. According to Variety, it’s a “sweetly sorrowful buddy movie”—definitely a must-watch!
Meanwhile, for all you series lovers, “Jasmine & Jambo – Season 2” continued its reign, winning Best Series again this year. The charm of Jasmine and Jambo, living in the musical land of Soundland, has captured hearts with its beautiful, music-infused stories. Esta serie, a jewel from the Catalan company Teidees Audiovisuals, remains a big hit among los niños.
Traveling over to Brazil, the magic doesn’t stop. “Lulina and the Moon” by Marcus Vinicius Vasconcelos grabbed the award for Best Short Film. This charming story tackles the fears of a young girl facing the arrival of a new sibling, turning her worries into wonders through vivid, animated drawings.
And vamos, let’s not forget about the unique storytelling in stop-motion. Colombian-Belgian Paola Cubillos’ “The Leak” brought home the prize for Best School Short Film. This almost Samuel Beckett-like narrative keeps you captivated in a world beyond words, where mundane repetitions and a mysterious water leak unfold a deeper connection.
Highlighting international collaborations, Chilean Oscar winner Gabriel Osorio shone brightly with the Punkrobot and Lucasfilm co-produced “In The Stars” episode of Disney+’s “Star Wars Visions” series, taking home Best Commissioned Animation. Osorio mentioned to Variety, “They [Lucasfilm] gave us complete freedom.” ¡Qué increíble!
Este año, Spain has truly shown its might in the animation arena. From heart-melting feature films to enchanting series for los pequeños, Spain is putting its vibrant stamp on the international stage. With incentives skyrocketing to as much as 54% in tax breaks, particularly in the Canary Islands, the quality of Spanish animation is reaching nuevas alturas. It’s a colorful testament to the country’s flourishing creativity and innovative spirit.
At the heart of the Quirino Awards, an initiative stood out: the Residency for Executive Producers. Set to start en Tenerife in May 2025, it aims to strengthen the threads of co-production across Ibero-America, mixing experienced gurus with fresh minds, fostering a space of creative exchange and support.
Lastly, the importance of collaboration danced through the discussion at the third Meeting of Ibero-American Public Television Stations. From Peru’s Canal IPe to Brazil’s TV Cultura, partnerships are becoming the secret salsa in enhancing the quality and outreach of animated content throughout our vibrant regions.
Mi gente, the Quirino Awards no solo celebrated the creative brilliance of the Latin and Iberian animation industry but also reignited the spirit of innovation and connection. Spain’s sweeping achievements this year only mark the beginning of an exciting camino ahead in the world of animation. ¡Qué viva la creatividad! Keep your ojos peeled for next year’s surprises. Hasta la próxima, amigos!
