“Antón” and “Cafunè” Win First Loterías Award for Social Issue Short Films at San Sebastian Festival
The San Sebastian Festival, in partnership with Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE), presented the first edition of the Loterías Award for short films addressing social issues. Two standout films, Antón by Mikel González Beorlegui and Cafunè by Lorena Ares and Carlos Fernández de Vigo, took home the top honors in this newly established competition, which received nearly 100 submissions.
Antón, which won the first prize of €10,000, tells the poignant story of an elderly man who, upon learning he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chooses to hide his diagnosis from his daughter. The film touches on themes of aging and loneliness, resonating deeply with the jury. The second prize of €5,000 went to the animated short Cafunè, depicting a young girl grappling with the trauma of surviving a boat sinking and her path to healing through the support of her adoptive family.
The jury, led by actress Emma Suárez and joined by María Núñez, Head of Communication at Loterías, and José Luis Rebordinos, Director of the San Sebastian Festival, selected ten finalists after an extensive review. Other finalists included Europa by Ekain Irigoien, Lola, Lolita, Lolaza by Mabel Lozano, Rumor de melodía (Melody’s Murmur) by Fabio Barber, and Yo voy conmigo (Go My Way) by Chelo Loureiro. The award ceremony took place at the Trueba cinema, with attendees such as Loterías President Jesús Huerta.
The aim of the competition is to promote films that convey positive, hopeful messages focused on wealth redistribution, the elimination of social inequalities, and the pursuit of social justice. The diverse submissions dealt with topics such as elderly care, immigration, gender violence, and discrimination against marginalized communities. The subjects of women facing cancer and the struggles of families caring for sick relatives were also prominent.
Festival Director José Luis Rebordinos expressed satisfaction with the quality of the submissions, noting that both emerging and established filmmakers contributed works of high caliber. "We are sure this section will continue to grow in future editions, but it couldn’t have started any better," said Rebordinos, thanking Loterías for their crucial support.
Loterías President Jesús Huerta emphasized the dual importance of these awards, which recognize both artistic merit and social responsibility. He praised the filmmakers for their commitment to societal progress, stating that the films reflect the core values of equality and inclusion that Loterías seeks to promote. Huerta also acknowledged the San Sebastian Festival’s ongoing efforts to build a more just society through culture.