Countdown begins for 11th edition of 'Catalan Oscars'

The nominees for the 11th edition of the Gaudí film awards came together on Friday for the traditional 'family photo,' with just two weeks until the 'Catalan Oscars' take place.

The awards organized by the Catalan Film Academy will take place on January 27 in the Palau de Congressos convention center in Barcelona.

The big favorites to win prizes this year are the films ‘Entre dos aguas', 'Viaje al cuarto de una madre' and 'El fotógrafo de Mauthausen,' all with nine nominations each.

Meanwhile, 'Les distàncies' (with seven nominations), 'Jean-François i el sentit de la vida,' 'Formentera Lady' and 'Yo la busco' are all in the running to win the Gaudí award for 'Best Film.'

Closest ever edition of the awards

Actors, directors, scriptwriters and other nominees in one of the closest editions of the awards ever began the countdown to the big day with a toast in Carme Ruscalleda's ‘Blanc’ restaurant in Barcelona.

Finalists in 22 different categories will be vying for an award at the end of the month, including such top filmmakers as Isaki Lacuesta, Elena Trapé, Mar Targarona, Jaume Rosales and Celia Rico.

Meanwhile, four Catalan language films are candidates for a 'Best Film' award: 'Formentera Lady' by Pau Durà, 'Jean-François i el sentit de la vida' by Sergi Portabella, 'Yo la busco' by Sara Gutiérrez Galve, and Trapé's 'Les distàncies.'

The best of the best

Among the actors hoping to come away with an award are Àlex Brendemühl ('Petra'), Israel Gómez Romero ('Entre dos aguas'), Sergi López ('La vida lliure'), and Mario Casas ('El fotógrafo de Mauthausen'), all up for 'Best Male Actor.'

Among the hopefuls for the 'Best Female Actor' award are Alexandra Jiménez ('Les distàncies'), Bárbara Lennie ('Petra'), Carme Elías ('Quién te cantará'), and Lola Dueñas ('Viaje al cuarto de mi madre').

The awards ceremony on January 27 in the Barcelona convention center is being directed for a third year in a row by filmmaker Lluís Danés, and this year will be hosted by Barcelona-born illusionist, Mag Lari.