Barcelona-born actor Eduard Fernández was honored with the prestigious 2025 National Cinematography Award on September 20th at the 73rd San Sebastián Film Festival. The award, which includes a cash prize of €30,000 ($35,100), was presented to Fernández by the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, on behalf of the Culture Ministry’s Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA).
The award ceremony was attended by various cultural figures and institutional representatives, including El Deseo producer Esther García, who had received the Donostia Career Achievement award at the festival’s opening ceremony the night before.
In his acceptance speech, Fernández reminisced about his early days in cinema before addressing a more pressing issue. He expressed his concern and outrage over the ongoing conflict in Palestine, condemning the atrocities and calling for an end to the violence. Fernández highlighted the plight of innocent children caught in the crossfire, reading out the names of those who had tragically lost their lives in the war.
The actor’s emotional speech echoed the sentiments of protesters who had disrupted the festival’s red carpet proceedings, demanding an end to the war in Palestine. Fernández emphasized the importance of recognizing and responding to the suffering of innocent civilians, urging humanity to show compassion and empathy in the face of such devastation.
The jury of the National Cinematography Award praised Fernández for his exceptional acting skills and memorable performances in the films “The 47” and “Marco,” for which he won the Goya for Best Actor. They also acknowledged his directorial debut with the short film “El otro.”
The National Cinematography Award is a prestigious recognition of outstanding contributions to Spanish cinema, with past recipients including luminaries such as Penélope Cruz, José Sacristán, and Antonio Banderas. Fernández joins a prestigious list of honorees who have made significant contributions to the film industry in Spain.
The award ceremony was a poignant reminder of the power of cinema to shed light on pressing social issues and inspire meaningful change. As Fernández accepted the award, he emphasized the importance of using film as a platform to raise awareness and advocate for justice and peace. His impassioned speech resonated with audiences and underscored the role of artists in promoting empathy and understanding in a world marked by conflict and division.
