Two movies with Catalan ties preselected to represent Spain at Oscars

The three-film shortlist of nominees to represent Spain at the next Oscars includes two movies with Catalan ties. 

The latest survival thriller from Catalan director JA Bayona, 'Society of the Snow', has been included, alongside the Catalan co-produced drama '20,000 Species of Bees,' directed by Estibaliz Urresola. 

Those films have been preselected along with 'Close Your Eyes' by Víctor Erice.

With the announcement of the candidates, focus shifts to the next important date, September 20, when the heads of the Spanish film academy will choose one of the three to go forward in the American Academy Awards.

The final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 23 and the awards ceremony will be held on March 10, 2024.

J.A. Bayona's latest offering, which will close the Venice Film Festival, is expected to be one of the great successes of the year in cinemas.

'20,000 Species of Bees' is also one of the five films nominated for the 2024 LUX Audience Award, an award organized by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy.

Urresola's film won the Golden Biznaga at the Málaga Film Festival for the best film, as well as the award for best supporting actress for Patricia López Arnaiz.

J.A. Bayona: Catalonia's Hollywood superstar

Juan Antonio Bayona, more commonly known as J.A. Bayona, is one of the most successful Catalan filmmakers abroad after becoming a household name in Hollywood.

His filmography includes haunted orphanages, natural disasters, dinosaurs, and even monsters. His debut horror film was widely acclaimed by critics and cinema-goers, making over €70 million in the box office, with a mere €4 million budget.