"Lionel" wins major awards at Málaga Film Festival

The Málaga Film Festival recently celebrated the end of its MAFIZ industry section with a closing ceremony. This event drew industry representatives for five days of networking and pitching films. The big winner was Carlos Saiz’s movie "Lionel," which took home multiple awards, including the prestigious Cine y Tele Prize. "Lionel" tells the story of a father and son reconnecting after 20 years apart. It is inspired by a true story and was created by Saiz along with several production companies from Spain and France. The film explores deep family bonds and the impact of paternal absence. International sales representative Álvaro Samper praised it as a touching tale that speaks to universal emotions. Other winners included "No Journey Without Return," directed by Carlos Sánchez Giraldo, which won the Ibero-American WIP prize. This film follows a man who feels compelled to revisit his roots and the cameraman accompanying him on his journey. The Spanish WIP prize went to "The Reborn" by Santiago Esteves, about brothers involved in a dark scheme. Several films, such as "The Queers Riot," "Tenants," and "Goodbye Berta," each won two awards. "The Queers Riot," directed by Wincy Oyarce, recounts a historic gay rights demonstration in Chile in 1973. Meanwhile, "Tenants" explores themes of immigration and societal issues through a horror lens. The ceremony concluded with the announcement that Panama will be the guest of honor at next year's festival. The event highlighted the vibrant and diverse film industry, showcasing many new talents and stories.