Ralph Fiennes to receive honorary award at BCN Film Fest 

English actor Ralph Fiennes will receive the Honorary Award at the BCN Film Fest in recognition of his career and contribution to cinema. The actor joins Richard Gere as a key guest at the festival, which will take place from April 24 to May 2 at the Verdi Cinemas in Barcelona.  

BCN Film Fest director Conxita Casanovas expressed her excitement, stating that Fiennes' presence will be one of the festival's most anticipated moments. In addition to receiving the award, Fiennes will present his latest film, The Return, alongside director Uberto Pascolini. 

The film, also starring Juliette Binoche, reuniting with Fiennes on screen, is a new adaptation of The Odyssey, offering a realistic perspective on the myth of Ulysses. 

The ninth edition of the festival will feature 84 titles, including 17 world premieres, one international premiere, one European, 19 Spanish and 18 Catalan premieres.  

The festival will open with the friendship-themed comedy 'Bob Trevino Likes It,' directed by Tracy Laymon, starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo.  

The festival will be closed by the Catalan film 'Les irresponsables' by Laura Mañà, featuring Laia Marull, Betsy Túrnez and Àgara Roca.  

The festival's opening will bring actress and model Barbie Ferreira, known for her role in HBO Max's Euphoria, to Barcelona to present 'Bob Trevino Likes It.'  

One of the festival's most highly anticipated moments will take place in the Open Zone section, with the screening of Rust, a wester starring Alec Baldwin. The film follows a fugitive outlaw on the run from his grandson, who has been sentenced for accidentally killing a farmer.  

Rust has been considered a "cursed" film following the accidental shooting incident in which Baldwin fatally wounded the film's cinematographer.  

The festival, which is split up into sections, introduces two new ones this year. Anime Day will take place on May 1. Additionally, the Cinema al Plat section will blend film and gastronomy. 

The official jury for this edition will be composed of director and actress Sílvia Munt, playwright Sergi Belbel, and filmmaker José Corbacho. Festival director Conxita Casanovas highlighted key themes in this year’s selection, including fatherhood, autism, injustices faced by women worldwide, war, and violence.