The vibrant landscape of Riviera Maya, Mexico, is once again preparing to host the 13th annual Platino Awards Xcaret, a prestigious ceremony dedicated to honoring the pinnacle of Ibero-American film and television. Scheduled for May 9, 2024, the event marks a significant return to the Gran Tlachco Theater at Xcaret Park, a venue that has become synonymous with the awards’ festive spirit and commitment to showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking audiovisual productions.
Leading the Nominations: A Showcase of Regional Talent
The nominations for the 13th edition, unveiled recently at the Telemundo Center in Miami, underscore the burgeoning talent and diverse storytelling emerging from the Ibero-American region. In the film categories, two productions stand out with an impressive 11 nominations each: Dolores Fonzi’s poignant Argentine drama Belén and Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s compelling Spanish feature Los Domingos. These films are closely followed by Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, securing eight nods, and Oliver Laxe’s Spanish epic Sirát, which garnered seven nominations.
On the television front, the Argentine adaptation of the classic graphic novel, Bruno Stagnaro’s The Eternaut, leads the pack with a remarkable 13 nominations, signaling its potential to dominate the series categories. Hot on its heels is the Spanish political drama The Anatomy of a Moment, created by Rafael Cobos, Fran Araujo, and Alberto Rodriguez, which earned 12 nominations, highlighting the strong showing of Spanish productions across both film and television.
A Detailed Look at Key Film Nominations
The competition for Best Ibero-American Fiction Film is particularly fierce, featuring a compelling lineup that reflects the breadth of storytelling across the region. Nominees include It’s Still Night in Caracas (Venezuela), Belén (Argentina), Los Domingos (Spain), The Secret Agent (Brazil), and Sirát (Spain). These films represent a blend of established and emerging voices, tackling diverse themes from political intrigue to intimate character studies.
The Best Director category pits some of the region’s most acclaimed filmmakers against each other: Alauda Ruiz de Azúa for Los Domingos, Dolores Fonzi for Belén, Kleber Mendonça Filho for The Secret Agent, and Oliver Laxe for Sirát. Their nominations not only acknowledge their individual artistic vision but also the critical success and resonance of their respective works.
Performances also received significant recognition. For Best Actor, the nominees are Alberto San Juan for The Dinner, Guillermo Francella for Homo Argentum, Ubeimar Ríos Gómez for A Poet, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. The Best Actress category features Blanca Soroa and Patricia López Arnaiz for their joint performance in Los Domingos, Dolores Fonzi for Belén, and Natalia Reyes for One Night in Caracas. These nominations underscore the powerful and nuanced portrayals delivered by these artists, captivating audiences and critics alike.
Supporting roles were also recognized for their crucial contributions. Álvaro Cervantes (Deaf), Edgar Ramírez (One Night in Caracas), Juan Minujín (Los Domingos), and Rodrigo Santoro (The Blue Trail) are nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The Best Supporting Actress category includes Camila Pláate and Julieta Cardinali (Belén), Dira Paes (Manas), and Nagore Aranburu (Los Domingos). The depth of talent in these categories further solidifies the artistic merit of this year’s selected films.
In the realm of non-fiction, the Best Documentary Film award nominees include Apocalypse in the Tropics (Brazil), Under the Flags, The Sun (Paraguay/Argentina), Flores para Antonio (Spain), and Afternoons of Solitude (Albert Serra, Spain). These documentaries offer insightful perspectives on social, political, and cultural narratives unique to the Ibero-American experience.
Television’s Ascendant Role and Nominees
The Platino Awards have increasingly recognized the growing importance and artistic quality of television productions. This year’s nominations reflect a dynamic and expanding TV landscape. Competing for Best Miniseries or TV Series are Anatomy of a Moment (Spain), Chespirito: Unintentionally (Mexico), The Eternaut (Argentina), and The Dead Women (Mexico). These series represent a wide range of genres, from biographical narratives to sci-fi adaptations, demonstrating the creative diversity within the Ibero-American television industry.
The Best Long-Form Series category further highlights the commitment to high-quality serialized storytelling, with nominees including Fatal Beauty (Brazil), The Promise (Spain), Dreams of Freedom (Spain), and Velvet: The New Empire (United States). The inclusion of a series from the United States, albeit with strong Ibero-American connections, points to the evolving definition and reach of Ibero-American productions.
Individual performances in television also garnered significant attention. For Best Male Performance in a Miniseries or TV Series, nominees include Álvaro Morte (Anatomy of a Moment), Javier Cámara (Jakarta), Leonardo Sbaraglia (Menem), and Ricardo Darín (The Eternaut). The Best Female Performance in a Miniseries or TV Series sees Candela Peña (Fury), Carla Quílez (Jakarta), Griselda Siciliani (Envious), and Paulina Gaitán (The Dead Women) vying for the coveted award. These nominations underscore the exceptional acting talent that brings these complex characters to life on the small screen.
A Cherished Return to Riviera Maya: The Platino Awards’ Home
For the fourth time in its 13-year history, the Platino Awards will grace the stage of the Gran Tlachco Theater at Xcaret Park in Riviera Maya. This return is particularly significant as it follows a year away, when the ceremony was held in Madrid, Spain, the event’s other established home base. Xcaret, a luxury enclave renowned for its hotels, restaurants, unique experiences, and adventure offerings, warmly welcomes the awards back to the heart of the resort town. The decision to return to Mexico underscores the deep ties and mutual benefits shared between the awards and the region.
Enrique Cerezo, Executive President of the Platino Awards and President of EGEDA (Audiovisual Producers’ Rights Management Association), expressed profound enthusiasm for the return to Mexican soil. "This year, we return to Mexico, a beloved country that has shared so many adventures and successful initiatives with these awards," Cerezo stated. "After 13 years, having the honor and responsibility of recognizing the best in Spanish and Portuguese-language film and television is a challenge we gladly embrace with commitment, year after year. The privilege of bringing together all the talent from the world’s largest region in a joyful, diverse, enriching, and festive gathering is also a reward for everyone who makes up the great Platino family."
This sentiment is echoed by local authorities and tourism boards, who view the Platino Awards as a vital platform for promoting Quintana Roo and Riviera Maya on an international stage. The event not only attracts high-profile figures from the entertainment industry but also generates significant economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and media coverage, showcasing the region’s cultural richness and capacity to host world-class events.
The Platino Awards: A Decade of Fostering Ibero-American Unity
Established in 2014, the Platino Awards were conceived by the Federation of Ibero-American Audiovisual Producers (FIPCA) in collaboration with EGEDA, with the overarching goal of promoting and disseminating Ibero-American cinema and television globally. The awards aim to create a truly integrated Ibero-American audiovisual space, celebrating linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, and artistic excellence across 23 countries spanning Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
Over the past decade, the Platino Awards have grown exponentially in prestige and influence, becoming the most important event for the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. They serve as a crucial platform for connecting talent, fostering co-productions, and increasing the visibility of films and series that might otherwise struggle to find international audiences. The ceremony’s broadcast across the Americas, reaching millions of viewers, further amplifies its mission, bringing the diverse stories and artistic achievements of the region into homes across continents.
Previous editions have seen iconic films and series recognized, elevating the profiles of countless actors, directors, and technical teams. The awards have become a benchmark for quality and innovation, reflecting the dynamic evolution of storytelling in the digital age and the increasing global appetite for non-English language content.
The Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The 13th edition of the Platino Awards arrives at a pivotal moment for the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. The strong showing of productions from Argentina and Spain, alongside significant nominations for Brazil and Mexico, highlights the robust and competitive nature of these national cinemas and television markets. The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also stimulate further investment and collaboration within the region.
The consistent recognition of diverse genres, from social dramas and thrillers to historical adaptations and comedies, demonstrates the industry’s versatility and willingness to explore a wide array of narratives. The increasing quality of television series, driven by the global streaming boom, is particularly noteworthy. Platforms like HBO Max, a sponsor of the event, play a crucial role in commissioning and distributing Ibero-American content, providing unprecedented opportunities for regional creators to reach international audiences.
The Platino Awards also play a critical role in cultural diplomacy, strengthening ties between Ibero-American nations through shared artistic appreciation. By uniting diverse voices and perspectives, the awards foster a sense of collective identity and pride in a rich common heritage.
A Collaborative Effort: The Ecosystem of Support
The successful staging of an event of this magnitude relies on a vast network of support and collaboration. The 13th edition of the Platino Awards Xcaret is presented with crucial backing from Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, and Grupo Xcaret, underscoring a powerful public-private partnership committed to cultural promotion and regional development.
Additional support comes from a distinguished list of international and industry-specific organizations, including UN Tourism, the Ibero-American Film Academies and Institutes, WAWA, and ICAA. The awards also benefit from the generous sponsorship of corporate partners such as AIE, Hertz, CREA SGR, L’Oréal, Mrs Greenfilm, and major media outlets like Telemundo, Universo, TNT, and HBO Max. This comprehensive ecosystem of support highlights the broad recognition of the Platino Awards’ importance and their role in the global entertainment landscape.
As the countdown to May 9th begins, anticipation builds for what promises to be an evening of celebration, recognition, and cultural exchange. The 13th Platino Awards Xcaret stands as a testament to the enduring power and captivating allure of Ibero-American storytelling, poised to honor the visionary artists who continue to enrich the global cinematic and television landscape.
For a comprehensive list of all nominees, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Platino Awards website.
