Catalan-directed 'Saturn Return' chosen to represent Spain at Oscars

'Saturn Return' from Catalan directors Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez has been chosen to represent Spain in the Best International Feature Film category at next year's Academy Awards. 

The film tells the story of Los Planetas, an indie band from Granada in Andalusia. 

The musical drama premiered in May and made a big splash at the Malaga Film Festival, where it won three awards, including the Biznaga de Oro for the Best Spanish Film. 

This is Lacuesta's eighth film. Born in Girona, he has twice won the prestigious Golden Shell at the San Sebastian Film Festival. 

The Spanish film academy's pick will now compete against films from around the world in order to be nominated for an Academy Award at the prestigious ceremony to be held in March 2025. 

Catalan cinema at the Oscars

Catalan cinema was well-represented at the 2024 Oscars, with two productions ultimately missing out on an Academy Award after competing in three different categories. 

Catalan filmmaker J. A. Bayona's 'Society of the Snow' was nominated for Best International Feature and Best Makeup and Hairstyling, while the Catalan-produced 'Robot Dreams' was nominated for Best Animated Feature. 

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