Animated works from Spain, Brazil and Uruguay topped the eighth Quirino Awards, the premier celebration of Ibero-American animation.
Spain’s David Baute scored finest characteristic together with his debut “Black Butterflies,” a migration-themed local weather drama that has already received reward at Annecy, the Goyas and the Platino Awards. Brazil’s irreverent “Jorel’s Brother” clinched finest sequence for its fifth season, whereas Uruguay’s Alfredo Soderguit took finest quick for “Capybaras,” an allegory of prejudice and friendship.
Recognized for his documentary background, Tenerife-born director Baute crafts a sweeping story of three girls from completely different corners of the world, every pressured into migration by the local weather disaster. The characteristic builds on Baute’s 2020 doc Local weather Exodus and has already claimed prizes on the Goya and Platino Awards. Co-written with Yaiza Berrocal, “Black Butterflies” is produced by Spain’s Ikiru Movies and Tinglado Movie, in collaboration with Panama’s Anangu Grup.
Brazil’s beloved “Jorel’s Brother” captured finest sequence for its fifth season, marking its second Quirino win following an preliminary nod in 2019. The present, created by Juliano Enrico and produced by Rio de Janeiro’s Copa Studio in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, tracks the adventures of a artistic younger boy overshadowed by his well-liked older sibling.
Uruguay earned finest quick movie for Alfredo Soderguit’s “Capybaras,” a story that tackles prejudice and friendship by way of the experiences of a displaced household of capybaras. Soderguit, identified for the celebrated “Anina” and “Dos pajaritos” a finalist on the 2022 Quirino Awards tailored the movie from his personal illustrated guide. The manufacturing concerned Uruguay’s Palermo Estudio alongside collaborators from France and Chile.
Further winners included Spain’s José Prats for the scholar quick “Adiós” nominee on the BAFTA’s and winner of the identical award on the Annie’s; Argentina’s Jesica Bianchi for the animated music video “My Means”; and Brazil’s Zombie Studio, whose movie “47” received each finest commissioned animation and visible growth.
In different classes, Spain’s Nomada Studio clinched finest online game animation for “Neva,” whereas the Franco-Spanish co-production “Paradise Buffet” earned finest animation design. Spain’s “Gilbert” additionally took honors for sound design and music.
This 12 months’s worldwide jury featured Ben Kalina (Titmouse studio, U.S.), Carolina López Caballero (Spain), Helena Nylander (SVT, Sweden), Daniel Bruson (Brazil), and Leyla Formoso (Prime Leisure Group, France).
Through the Gala Lope Afonso, Vice President of the Tenerife Council, who sponsor the Awards by way of Tenerife Tourism, introduced the Quirino Lab, a brand new coaching and dialogue platform set to launch in November 2025. Constructing upon the Futures Lab initiative, this new endeavor goals to deepen collaborative methods throughout Ibero-American animation.
Some takeaways:
Business Clout or Arthouse Cred?
Quirino attracts large names exactly as a result of it presents one thing Cannes and Annecy don’t, a breather and area for high quality relationship constructing over just a few days. Trade voices noticed lots of the tasks pitched to them this 12 months skewed closely arthouse, some involved they lack the industrial muscle to win over main distributors or streamers. Others have been excited to see this many tasks pushing the boundaries feeling, they may break into new audiences craving originality. The trick now could be steadiness. Movies like Pablo Berger’s “Robotic Goals” show it’s attainable to marry artistic ambition with viewers attain however an excessive amount of tilt towards a distinct segment, and the storytellers threat narrowing world attraction. Whereas arthouse animation may discover a specialist residence, the distribution mannequin merely isn’t there but, and it’s unlikely to emerge quickly.
Location, Location, Location
The Canary Islands now boasts 10 animation studios and a number of the world’s finest tax incentives however as a number of execs at Quirino confused, expertise wants greater than a studio and a rebate. You may’t reside in a studio, and with the islands nonetheless geared overwhelmingly towards short-term tourism, discovering housing for long-haul expertise stays a possible bottleneck. On-the-ground infrastructure shall be important for accelerating development. Though many who strive it don’t return, figuring the approach to life upside is nicely well worth the different hassles.
Trump 2.0: An Uninvited Visitor
Nobody at Quirino needed to dwell on President Trump however his jabs, simply previous to the occasion, at overseas manufacturing tax breaks got here up at each espresso break. With the Canary Islands providing among the many richest rebates on the planet, the concern is much less about instant coverage and extra concerning the ripple impact of uncertainty. Traders are skittish, and animation, with its lengthy timelines and excessive upfront prices, wants predictable floor to thrive. Even a stray Trump social media put up with out motion can ship wobbles by way of fragile co-financing stacks.
Discovering goal
Each the Futures Lab and Girls in Animation periods confirmed a transparent longing from producers, and filmmakers to debate their challenges. “We requested them to replicate on the issues they needed to sacrifice to maneuver ahead of their careers; and likewise at a private degree, to attach with their goal, the issues that give them butterflies within the abdomen.” Silvina Cornillõn, director of Qurino Awards, informed Selection of the Girls in Animation gathering. There was consolation within the comradery proven. “Generally whenever you attempt to go that deep, some individuals may pull again however they stayed, they listened, they have been moved.” she concluded.
Ibero-America’s Large Meet-Up
One among Quirino’s largest quiet victories? The sheer geographic unfold of its company. Filmmakers, producers, and executives got here not simply from Spain and Portugal however from nearly each nook of Latin America, giving the occasion actual Ibero-American weight. And having Argentinian Cornillõn on the helm of a Spanish primarily based pageant sends a optimistic message. It’s a testomony to the organizers’ sustained efforts and an indication that Quirino has matured into greater than only a regional showcase. It’s now one of many key platforms the place the Ibero-American animation world comes collectively to kind concepts. Collaboration continues to thrive and the fruits from the quite a few programmes over the previous few years are bringing top quality tasks to the pitching tables inside a former Convents environs.
2025 QUIRINO AWARDS WINNERS
BEST FEATURE“Black Butterflies,” (David Baute, Spain, Panama)
BEST SERIES“Jorel’s Brother – Season 5,” (Juliano Enrico, Brazil)
BEST SHORT FILM“Capybaras,” (Alfredo Soderguit, Uruguay, France, Chile)
BEST ANIMATION SCHOOL SHORT FILM“Adiós,” (José Prats, Spain, UK)
BEST COMMISSIONED FILM“47,” (Paulo Garcia & Natalia Gouvea, Brazil)
BEST MUSIC VIDEO“My Means,” (Jesica Bianchi, Argentina)
BEST VIDEO GAME ANIMATION“Neva,” (Nomada Studio, Spain)
BEST VISUAL DEVELOPMENT“47,” (Paulo Garcia & Natalia Gouvea, Brazil)
BEST ANIMATION DESIGN“Paradise Buffet,” (Santi Amézqueta & Héctor Zafra, Spain, France)
BEST SOUND DESIGN AND ORIGINAL MUSIC“Gilbert,” (Alejandro Salueña García, Arturo Lacal Ruiz & Jordi Jiménez Xiberta, Spain)
