Gaudí Awards crown Frontier, Sirat and Deaf in strong year for Catalan cinema
Oscar-nominated Sirat takes eight prizes as Frontier claims four awards including best film
Frontier, Sirāt and Deaf emerged as the standout titles of Catalan cinema at the Gaudí Awards on Sunday night, as the Catalan Film Academy marked its coming of age in one of the sector's most productive years in recent memory.
Judith Colell's historical thriller Frontier (Frontera in Catalan) about smugglers who helped Jewish refugees cross the Pyrenees during the Second World War, won the top prize for best film.
It also picked up awards for best supporting actress (Bruna Cusí), costume design and the audience award.
Oscar-nominated Sirāt was named best non-Catalan-language film and dominated the technical categories, taking a further seven prizes.
The other major winner was Deaf (Sorda in Spanish), Eva Libertad's debut feature, which won best director, best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Álvaro Cervantes.
The strong presence of Catalan films at national and international festivals last year has already raised expectations of a bumper awards season.
On Sunday, that success was celebrated at home, at the 18th Gaudí Awards.
Members of the cast and crew of Frontier celebrate their four awards / Jordi Borràs
Members of the cast and crew of Sirat celebrate their eight awards / Jordi Borràs
Eva Libertad wins best director for Deaf, one of the film's three awards / Jordi Borràs
Llúcia Garcia Torras won best breakthrough performance for her role in Carla Simón's Romería / Jordi Borràs
Gemma Blasco's Fury won awards for best new director and best actress (Ángela Cervantes) / Joan Mateu Parra
Albert Serra's Afternoons of Solitude won best documentary film and best editing / Joan Mateu Parra
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