This March, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reviewed the leisure and service offerings of Maspalomas, the economic capital of the Canary Islands, for the Gala to be held in 2026 and 2027, the year in which it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, is interested in anchoring this event in the south of Gran Canaria for at least five editions so that it has a promotional logic among peninsular tourism and the promotional market linked to film shoots. The Maspalomas ceremony will generally be held in the first quarter of 2026 and 2027, honoring the best works produced during the previous year. The award consists of a bronze bust of Francisco de Goya, the work of sculptor Miguel Berrocal based on a design by Mariano Benlliure. In 1990, the award's design was updated by José Luis Fernández to better adapt to its current concept.
Every year, the Goya Awards stand out as the most emblematic event in Spanish cinema. Recognized as the highest honors in Spanish cinema, they are awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to celebrate the most outstanding productions, performances, and technical achievements of the year. Beyond the glamour of the red carpet and the emotional speeches of the winners, the Goya Awards capture the essence of Spanish cinema. These awards not only highlight great productions but also open the door to independent and innovative projects. On February 8, 2025, the 39th edition took place at the Granada Conference and Exhibition Center.
On November 12, 1985, producer Alfredo Matas convened 12 prominent figures in Spanish cinema, including Luis García Berlanga, Marisol Carnicero, and José Sacristán, in Madrid to reflect on the future of the film industry. This meeting led to the creation of an association supported by 87 professionals, which in 1986 led to the birth of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. From the same meeting emerged the idea of establishing annual awards to recognize the best cinematographic works of the year. Names such as the Lumière Awards, the Buñuel Awards, and the Soles Awards were considered, but the Goya Awards were ultimately chosen. Francisco de Goya, in addition to being a universal symbol of Spanish culture, offered a short and powerful name, similar to that of the Oscars or the Césars. Furthermore, his paintings, with their narrative and almost cinematic approach, made him an ideal inspiration for these awards.
On March 17, 1987, the first edition of the Goya Awards was held at the Lope de Vega Theater in Madrid, with 16 initial categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Music, Best Leading Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Photography, Best Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound, Spanish-Language Foreign Film, and Honorary Goya.
