‘URTAIN, EL ÍDOLO DE BARRO’ winner of the 15th Edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival
The closing ceremony of the 15th edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival, held at the Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch, was a gathering point for the worlds of cinema, sports, politics, and society. Urtain, el ídolo de barrowas crowned the winner of this new edition.
ÀMFORA CIUTAT DE BARCELONA: URTAIN, EL ÍDOLO DE BARRO
David Escudé, president of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica, presented the ÀMFORA CIUTAT DE BARCELONA award for the best film of the 15th edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival to URTAIN, EL ÍDOLO DE BARRO, a production directed and produced by Xavier Baig, Jordi Rovira, and Òscar Moreno. This documentary tells the story of José Manuel Urtain, a renowned boxer and champion whose career was shaped by the media, both positively and negatively. It is a journey through the life of the boxer during the years of Franco’s regime, featuring outstanding archival research and audiovisual documentation of the character. In addition to the three directors, Marisa García and Vanessa Ibar, the partner and daughter of José Manuel Urtain, accepted the award.
The event was attended by the Honorable Mr. Berni Álvarez, Conseller d’Esports of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and Juli Pernas, trustee of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica and executive committee member of FICTS (Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs), among other distinguished guests.
The official jury—Emma Mussoll, writer and screenwriter with extensive experience in audio fiction; Margi Villa, actress, director, and artistic director with over twenty years in the film industry; Martí Niubò, General Director of Strategic Planning and Innovation at Institut Barcelona Esports; Montse Rodríguez, a participant in numerous short films and public relations representative at the Girona Film Festival; and Sergi Martí, director and screenwriter with experience in post-production—decided to award two special mentions and a special prize to three productions due to their outstanding quality.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD: GIRLS MOVE MOUNTAINS
A Catalan documentary directed by Anna Huix and produced by Guille Cascante, which explores both women’s rights and how older generations inspire younger ones to create a slightly fairer world. The award was accepted by the director.
The jury also decided to grant three special mentions ALWAYS + POSITIVE, directed by Nacho Solana and produced by Rodrigo Espinel and Poncho García-Valenzuela. A second mention for LA HISTÒRIA DESCONEGUDA, directed by Francesc Gómez and produced by Simón Lorenzo. And finally, the third one for IN-BETWEEN, directed and produced by Qin Long.
The BCN Sports Film Festival is known for its diverse awards, which this year have been presented to:
BEST ANIMATED PRODUCTION: AERIALIST
Aerialist tells the story of a woman who works as a shop assistant in a fabric store. Although she enjoys working with textiles, her life is quite monotonous. However, when she encounters a group of gymnasts, her life is suddenly illuminated by a dream. Directed by Anna Kuzina, who has sent a video of appreciation, and produced by Boris Mashkovtsev.
BEST DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION: MOTORCYCLE MARY
A documentary from the United States that tells the untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee, featuring stunning archival footage and never-before-seen frames. It follows her fearless thirty-year career, duringWatson and produced by Rachel Greenwald. The director has sent a video of appreciation.
BEST FICTION PRODUCTION: THE SKATES
A Canadian production that tells the story of Mina, who loves skating. But one day, when her father takes her to her first figure skating class, everything is supposed to go as usual—until we discover that something has happened to her skates. The film’s director and producer, Halima Ouardiri, could not attend the ceremony but has sent a greeting video.
BEST ADVENTURE SPORTS PRODUCTION – ÁLVARO BULTÓ AWARD: MONTSERRAT, INTEGRAL 107
A Catalan documentary that follows two young climbers as they explore the Montserrat massif in search of a route that connects all its peaks. They accomplish this through climbing, rappelling, nights under the open sky, and an in-depth study of the terrain. The award was presented by David Escudé, president of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica and Councilor for Sports of the Barcelona City Council, to the film’s director, Biel Macià.
SPORTS & SOCIETY AWARD: JUST KIDS
An Italian/British-Brazilian fiction production that tells the story of Alisha, a young girl who plays rugby and must face off against a boy. From this confrontation, she gains the conviction that she must continue playing. Directed by Alessandro Riconda and produced by Paolo Maria Pedullà, neither of whom could attend the ceremony, but the director has sent a video of appreciation.
BEST CATALAN PRODUCTION: EL GRAN XOU
A Catalan documentary that gives us an inside look at the best artistic roller-skating club in the world, CPA Olot, during the most intense and surprising season in its history. The award was presented by the Honorable Berni Álvarez, Councilor for Sports of the Generalitat de Catalunya, to the film’s director, Trini Gutiérrez, executive producer and screenwriter Èric Jiménez, director of Olot Televisió Joel Tallant, and CEO of the Xarxa Audiovisual Local, Núria de José.
Journalist Jordi Fandiño served as the master of ceremonies for this 15th edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival 2025.
