The queer historical drama “La Bola Negra,” created by Spanish filmmaking duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (known as Los Javis), has won the audience award at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival. The film features an ensemble cast including Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, and Miguel Bernardeau.
The recognition follows the film's U.K. premiere at the London Film Festival on Oct. 8, where it played to sold-out audiences. Previous winners of the festival’s audience award include Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” in 2025, “Four Mothers” in 2024, and “Gassed Up” in 2023.
“We are absolutely delighted that ‘La Bola Negra’ has won the BFI London Film Festival Audience Award,” Calvo and Ambrossi said in a joint statement. “It was a real pleasure to bring the film to London in October, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who came to see it and voted for us. To receive this recognition from audiences is particularly meaningful.”
Inspired by a play by Alberto Conejero and the unfinished final work of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, the film follows three men whose lives are connected across three different periods: 1932, 1937, and 2017. Spanning three generations, the story explores forbidden love, queer identity, and how personal histories are preserved or erased over time.
The cast also includes Lola Dueñas, Carlos González, and Spanish musician Guitarricadelafuente, who is making his feature film acting debut.
Spain has selected “La Bola Negra” as its official submission for best international feature at the 2027 Academy Awards. The film has also earned a nomination for best international independent film at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).
Calvo and Ambrossi, who previously created the musical comedy series “Paquita Salas” and the acclaimed series “Veneno” about transgender icon Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez, continue to explore queer identity and overlooked histories in this latest feature. Altitude will release the film in U.K. and Irish cinemas on Nov. 6.
