Three films with Catalan links shortlisted to represent Spain at Oscars

Three films with Catalan links are in contention to represent Spain at next year's Oscars. 

The most radical film by Oliver Laxe, 'Sirât', a Catalan co-production distinguished at the Cannes Film Festival with the Jury Prize; the conclusion of Carla Simón's family trilogy 'Romería', which arrives in cinemas this Friday; and 'Sorda' by Eva Libertad - a big winner at the Malaga Film Festival - are the three films shortlisted by the Spanish Film Academy to compete in the Oscars.

The title chosen to represent Spain in Hollywood will be announced on September 17.

Catalan cinema is having another golden year, after the triumph of several films in international competitions.

The success in various festivals through the year has culminated in Wednesday morning's news that all three shortlisted films are Catalan produced or co-produced.

Catalan co-production 'Sirât' has already won an award at the Cannes Festival and was the first time a Catalan production was in the race for the Palme d'Or. The film, starring Sergi López and released in cinemas last June, tells the journey of a father and his son to find their daughter at a rave in the Moroccan mountains.

Also nominated, once again, is Carla Simón's latest work, 'Romería', with which she closes her autobiographical trilogy, following the successes of 'Summer '93' and 'Alcarràs'. 

The filmmaker continues to explore her roots, now using her biological mother's diary to reconstruct the life of her paternal family in Galicia. The fragmented nature of memory through generations, hidden family secrets, heroin use, and the stigma of AIDS taint a legacy that, according to the director, is part of the history of several generations.

Finally, the Catalan production 'Sorda', Eva Libertad's debut feature film has also entered the race. The film, which also won two awards at the Berlinale Film Festival, is the first Spanish feature film starring a deaf actress, Miriam Garlo, and explores the bond between the hearing and deaf worlds through a couple and their conflicts when they have a child. Lead actress Miriam Garlo is also the sister of director Eva Libertad.