Over a quarter of a century on, the Goya awards are returning to Barcelona, which hosted the ceremony in the year 2000.

The 40th edition of the Spanish film awards comes to the city after a record year for Catalan film in 2024, which notched up 114 Catalan productions for the first time and recorded 3.7 million spectators (67% more than in 2023), according to the Observatory for Audiovisual Production (OPA). In addition, the current good health of the Catalan audiovisual sector is also reflected in the preliminary selection of Catalan films representing Spain at the Oscars: Romería, by Carla Simón, Sirat, by Oliver Laxe, and Sorda, by Eva Libertad.

The Goya Awards 2026, which are set to recognise Gonzalo Suárez with the honorary award, go beyond the gala with a series of activities open to the public in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, thanks to the City Council and the Government of Catalonia. Urban exhibitions with historical and current photographs of Catalan winners, screenings of nominated films with their protagonists attending, and meetings with key film figures all provide the prelude to the awards ceremony.

The activity programme also includes social and educational initiatives, such as film sessions for children, young people and vulnerable collectives, urban actions such as seven giant statues around the city, created by maestro fallas builders for the Valencian fallas celebration of 2022, and a photocall at the City Hall.