‘La Bola Negra’ to Receive International Star Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)

The cast and filmmakers behind “La Bola Negra” will receive the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 7. Co-directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi and stars Penélope Cruz, Guitarricadelafuente and Miguel Bernardeau will attend the 38th annual gala event to accept the award.

“With ‘La Bola Negra,’ Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi have created a beautiful and moving film that brings together stories across generations and cultures,” festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement. “Guitarricadelafuente brings such honesty and heart to his first film role, joined by Miguel Bernardeau as the film’s emotional anchor and Penélope Cruz in an unforgettable turn as Nené.”

He added, “We are delighted to recognize the talent and hard work that went into bringing this special film to life and to honor ‘La Bola Negra’ with the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards.”

“La Bola Negra” follows Carlos González, a late-2010s historian tasked with connecting the pieces between a gay-themed Federico García Lorca play he inherits and the two other plot threads, including a narrative about the tender, illicit relationship between two soldiers on opposing sides of the Spanish Civil War (Guitarricadelafuente and Miguel Bernardeau). The queer historical drama is inspired by the unfinished final work of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca and a play by Alberto Conejero.

Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 16-minute standing ovation and Best Director Award, “La Bola Negra” has received widespread praise. It took home the audience award at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival audience prize and will receive the Gotham Vanguard Tribute award at this year’s Gotham Film Awards on Nov. 30. Guitarricadelafuente also received the Discovery Award at this year’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival. The film will be Spain’s official submission for best international feature at the 2027 Academy Awards.