Quirino Awards 2026: ‘Decorado,’ ‘There is Something Behind You’ and ‘Dog Alone’ Win Top Prizes in Tenerife
Galician animator Alberto Vázquez secured his third Quirino Award on Friday, April 17, 2026, as his feature film Decorado took home the Best Ibero-American Animation Feature Film prize at the 9th edition of the ceremony held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The win marks Vázquez’s continued prominence in the Ibero-American animation landscape, following prior Quirino wins for his short films in 2018 and 2021. Decorado, a co-production between Spain’s María y Arnold A.I.E., Abano Producións, UniKo, Glow Animation and Portugal’s Sardinha em Lata, was recognized for its thematic exploration of identity and societal perceptions of appearance.
In the television category, Colombian series There Is Something Behind You, created by Julián Gómez Reyes and produced by Careloko Producciones, won the Best Ibero-American Animation Series award. The show, backed by Colombia’s Abrecámara public fund, was noted for its suspense-driven narrative aimed at younger audiences. Meanwhile, the Best Ibero-American Animation Short Film award went to Portuguese director Marta Reis Andrade’s Dog Alone, a 2D fable on loneliness and family ties produced in collaboration with France’s BAP – Animation Studio and Ikki Films. The short had previously garnered selections at festivals including AFI Fest and Valladolid International Film Festival.
The 2026 Quirino Awards featured 33 nominations across seven participating countries: Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. Other nominees for Best Feature included Brazil-France co-production Heart of Darkness by Rogério Nunes, Spain-Belgium-Chile-France-Switzerland project Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake by Irene Iborra, and Mexico’s I am Frankelda by Arturo and Roy Ambriz. In the series category, nominees included Mexico-USA co-production Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, Spain’s Pocoyó Season 6, and Brazil’s Tainá and the Amazon’s Guardian Season 2. The short film category also included Spain-Belgium-France-Switzerland entry The Quinta’s Ghost by James A.
Vázquez’s Decorado had earlier won the Animated Feature Goya Award in February 2026, underscoring its critical acclaim during the awards season. The film’s production involved a multinational effort, reflecting broader trends in Ibero-American animation where cross-border collaborations are increasingly common due to funding volatility and shared creative goals. Industry observers noted that the Quirino Awards continue to serve as a vital platform for regional animators seeking international recognition, particularly as streaming platforms reassess investment in animated content.
The ceremony highlighted Colombia’s growing presence in animation, with Careloko Producciones’ series win signaling the impact of public funding initiatives like Abrecámara. Similarly, Portugal’s Marta Reis Andrade joined a growing list of Iberian creators gaining visibility through Quirino recognition, with Dog Alone building on its festival circuit success. As animation production adapts to shifting market dynamics, events like the Quirino Awards provide crucial validation for independent and co-produced works that might otherwise struggle to gain traction in dominant global markets.
Looking ahead, the Quirino Awards organizers have not yet announced the date or location for the 2027 edition. For updates on future nominations, eligibility guidelines, and ceremony details, readers are encouraged to visit the official Premios Quirino website.
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