Barcelona will host the 40th edition of the Goya Awards on February 28, 2026, a gala that will take place at the Auditorium of the Centre de Convencions Internacionals de Barcelona, just a few meters from the Mediterranean Sea. This was announced today in the city by the president of the Spanish Film Academy, Fernando Méndez-Leite, together with the mayor, Jaume Collboni; the Minister of Culture, Sònia Hernández; and the vice president of the institution, Rafael Portela, in an event held at the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
“Four decades have passed since that first gala. And twenty-five years since the Goyas first came to Barcelona, in the year 2000. Returning here, on such a symbolic date, is much more than a gesture. It is a profound recognition of a city that breathes cinema,” said Fernando Méndez-Leite, who emphasized that for the institution it is “an honor” to travel to the Catalan capital on the 40th anniversary of the awards.
During his speech, he highlighted that Catalonia has been and remains “essential” for Spanish cinema. “We cannot tell our story without its screenwriters, producers, directors, technicians, actors and actresses, and its schools,” he pointed out, underlining the “undeniable” presence of professionals from all branches of the industry at the Goya Awards throughout their history. The event was attended by actors Laia Marull, Ángela Cervantes and Pol Monen; filmmakers José Corbacho, Kike Maíllo and Pol Rodríguez; producers Valerie Delpierre, Tono Folguera and Edmon Roch; and filmmaker and president of the Catalan Film Academy, Judith Colell.
Held at the seat of the Catalan Government, the presentation of the 40th edition of the Goya Awards also included the presence of board members of the Academy such as Josep M. Civit, Josep Amorós, Sergio Díaz and Piluca Baquero.
In addition, the Barcelona event will honor filmmaker Gonzalo Suárez with the lifetime achievement award, whose career is “linked to the city, a setting for dozens and dozens of films from around the world.”
Méndez-Leite also stressed that the most recent sign of the “great moment” Catalan audiovisual production is experiencing is that the three feature films shortlisted to represent Spain at the Oscars, announced last Wednesday, all have Catalan production: Romería, directed by Carla Simón; Sirat, directed by Oliver Laxe; and Sorda, directed by Eva Libertad.
The Minister of Culture expressed similar views, stating that for the Generalitat, cinema is a “strategic” sector and that hosting the 2026 Goya Awards in Barcelona demonstrates “recognition of the strength, talent and dynamism of our audiovisual industry. We are very proud of Catalan cinema, which is experiencing a sensational moment,” she said.
For his part, Jaume Collboni expressed his satisfaction and gratitude to the Academy for choosing Barcelona “at a time of blossoming and recognition of Catalan cinema by the industry and critics, but above all by the public,” stressing that the city’s goal for this major event is to give the celebration a civic dimension, with activities across different parts of the city that will make the gala “as open, accessible and participatory as possible, with the ultimate goal of attracting young audiences once again and recovering the magic of seeing films in theaters.”
A celebration open to the whole city
During the event, it was announced that, in the weeks leading up to the 40th edition of the Goya Awards, the city will host an extensive program of activities open to the public. An outdoor exhibition featuring Catalan winners, a “walk of fame” with large-format photographs of all Catalan awardees from the 39 previous editions of the Goyas, and screenings of nominated films with the presence of their stars—who will take part in talks with audiences—will form part of this wide-ranging program designed to allow citizens to enjoy the magic of cinema before the gala itself.
The program will also include social and educational initiatives, such as film sessions for children, young people and vulnerable groups, as well as activities to bring the Goyas into the streets: from giant Goya Awards statues placed around the city to a photocall at City Hall where citizens can take pictures with a Goya Award. The public will also be able to take part in special meetings with the Honorary Goya recipient, Gonzalo Suárez, and with the International Goya recipient.
On February 28, 2026, more than a quarter of a century later, the Goyas will return to Barcelona, which last hosted the awards ceremony in 2000. Twenty-six years later, the Film Academy, which in recent years has opted to hold the gala in different cities, will return to Barcelona to present the statuettes of what will be its 40th edition. In addition to Madrid and Barcelona, the Goya Awards have also been held in Seville (2019 and 2023), Málaga (2020 and 2021), Valencia (2022), Valladolid (2024) and Granada (2025).
