.png)
Spain’s Alma Awards Spotlight a Changing Landscape for Screenwriting
The Spanish screenwriting community is gearing up for the IX Alma Awards, recognizing the best scripts of 2025. With 153 nominated screenwriters out of 473 submitted works, the awards, organized by the Sindicato de Guionistas (ALMA) in collaboration with DAMA, highlight both the vibrancy and the ongoing gender imbalance within the industry. The gala, set for March 26th in Madrid, promises to be a key event for Spanish audiovisual professionals.
A Growing Number of Nominations, Persistent Gender Gap
This year’s nominations showcase a diverse range of projects across film and television. Categories include Best Screenplay for Dramatic Feature Film, Comedy Feature Film, Documentary Feature Film, Series (Drama, Comedy, Daily, and Documentary), Program, and Competition. Yet, despite the impressive number of nominees, only 53 are women. This disparity underscores the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality in Spanish screenwriting.
Nominees Across Categories: A Snapshot
The competition is fierce across all categories. In the Dramatic Feature Film category, Los domingos, Maspalomas, and Sorda are vying for the top prize. Comedy Feature Film nominees include La cena, Los aitas, and Mi amiga Eva. Documentary Feature Film will observe a battle between Flores para Antonio, Madrid Ext., and Tardes de soledad.
Television Highlights
On the television side, Animal, Poquita fe, and La vida breve are nominated for Best Screenplay in a Comedy Series. Drama Series contenders are Anatomía de un instante, Pubertat, and Yakarta. Daily Series nominations include Sueños de libertad, Valle salvaje, and La Promesa. Documentary Series nominees are Crims, Expediente Vallecas, and Los archivos secretos del NO-DO. Entertainment programs El intermedio, La Revuelta, and Cachitos de Hierro y Cromo are competing for the Program award, even as Cifras y Letras, Drag Race España, and Saber y Ganar are in the running for Best Competition Screenplay.
Voting and the Role of ALMA and DAMA
Affiliates of ALMA have until February 19th to cast their votes for the winning works. The awards are significant not only for recognizing talent but also for advocating for the rights and recognition of screenwriters within the Spanish audiovisual industry. ALMA, founded in 1989, represents over 1000 screenwriters and is a member of international screenwriting organizations. DAMA, the entity managing audiovisual rights, collaborates with ALMA to ensure fair compensation and protection for creators.
The Future of Screenwriting: Navigating AI and Ensuring Fair Practices
The Spanish screenwriting community, through ALMA, is actively addressing contemporary challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence. Recent updates to the Real Decreto 1435/1985, specifically Article 13, reflect negotiations led by ALMA to regulate the use of AI in scriptwriting. This demonstrates a commitment to protecting the value of human creativity and ensuring that screenwriters receive appropriate credit and compensation for their work.
FAQ
Q: When are the Alma Awards held?
A: The gala will be held on March 26th in Madrid.
Q: Who organizes the Alma Awards?
A: The awards are organized by the Sindicato de Guionistas (ALMA) in collaboration with DAMA.
Q: How many screenwriters are nominated this year?
A: 153 screenwriters are nominated from 473 submitted works.
Q: What is ALMA’s stance on AI in screenwriting?
A: ALMA is actively working to regulate the use of AI in scriptwriting to protect the rights and value of human screenwriters.
Did you know? ALMA is a member of the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) and the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE), advocating for screenwriters’ rights on an international scale.
Pro Tip: Staying informed about industry events like the Alma Awards can provide valuable insights into emerging trends and key players in the Spanish audiovisual sector.
Explore more about the Spanish screenwriting industry and the work of ALMA on their official website: https://sindicatoalma.es/
