Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards 2026 Nominees Announced

The ninth edition of the Quirino Awards, recognizing excellence in Ibero-American animation, has revealed its nominees. A total of 27 works from seven countries are competing for awards, with a ceremony scheduled for April 17 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain .

Dominance of Spain and Portugal

Spain leads the nominations with 11 works, followed closely by Portugal with seven. Argentina and Brazil have secured six and four nominations respectively, although Colombia and Mexico each have two titles in contention, and Chile has one . The awards, established in 2018, aim to promote animation across the 23 countries of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, fostering co-production and professional development within the industry .

Feature Film Competition

Four films are vying for the Best Ibero-American Animation Feature Film award:

• Heart of Darkness – Directed by Rogério Nunes (Brazil, France)
• Decorado – Directed by Alberto Vázquez (Spain, Portugal)
• Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake – Directed by Irene Iborra (Spain, Belgium, Chile, France, Switzerland)
• I Am Frankelda – Directed by Arturo Ambriz and Roy Ambriz (Mexico)

Key Nominations Across Categories

Here’s a breakdown of nominees in other key categories:

Best Ibero-American Animation Series

• There Is Something Behind You – Season 1 – Directed by Julián Gómez Reyes (Colombia)
• Women Wearing Shoulder Pads – Season 1 – Created by Gonzalo Córdova (Mexico, United States)
• Pocoyó – Season 6 – Directed by Guillermo García Carsí (Spain)
• Tainá and the Amazon’s Guardian – Season 2 – Directed by Natália Freitas (Brazil)

Best Ibero-American Animation Short Film

• Dog Alone – Directed by Marta Reis Andrade (Portugal, France)
• The Quinta’s Ghost – Directed by James A. Castillo (Spain)
• Luz Diabla – Directed by Gervasio Canda, Paula Boffo, and Patricio Plaza (Argentina, Canada)
• Because Today Is Saturday – Directed by Alice Eça Guimarães (Portugal, France, Spain)

Best Ibero-American Animation School Short Film

• Where Do Birds Move When They Die? – Directed by Guido Devoto Brunori (Argentina)
• Ballad of Fishes and Birds – Directed by Anny Uribe and Juan José Arévalo (Colombia, Spain)
• Wing Shop – Directed by Gabriela Rojas Bustos, Andrea León Gutiérrez, and Sascha Schmit (Spain, Chile, Mexico, France)

Additional Categories and Nominees

• Best Ibero-American Animation Commissioned Film: 18 Months, Gaspar’s Journey, Cineminuto Pixelatl 2025 – Enchant the World
• Best Ibero-American Animation Video Clip: Esplin, Karma, Paulinha
• Best Animation for Video Game: Last Time I Saw You, Stars in the Trash, Tiris
• Best Visual Development: Dog Alone, El Cuerpo de Cristo, The Rumor Is Born, Sappho
• Best Animation Design: Dog Alone, My Gut Friend, Because Today Is Saturday
• Best Sound Design and Original Music: Decorado, The Quinta’s Ghost, Because Today Is Saturday

The Quirino Awards are sponsored by the Cabildo de Tenerife through Turismo de Tenerife and the Tenerife Film Commission . The winners will be announced during a ceremony in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on April 17 .