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AWARDS Spain

Birdsong wins top Gaudí prize

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The recently founded Academy of Catalan Cinema has crowned Albert Serra’s second feature, Birdsong, winner of the Gaudí for the Best Catalan Film of 2008.

The Gaudí Awards are the new regional prizes aimed at promoting Catalan cinema and were presented last night, two weeks before the Goya Awards, Spain’s top film honours (see news).

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Serra also picked up the award for Best Director and the film Best Cinematography. Produced by Eddie Saeta, Birdsong had its world premiere in last year’s Director's Fortnight at Cannes. The tale of the Three Wise Men looking for the Baby Jesus, initially without the help of the Star of Bethlehem, was released in Catalonia in late 2008 on three screens.

Following his debut feature Honour of the Knights (Quixotic) [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, Birdsong confirmed Serra as one of the Spain's most radical directors. Since then, Serra has directed a short tribute to Charlie Chaplin and potential upcoming projects include a biopic on German director Reiner Werner Fassbinder.

Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
was the other big winner of the night. Producer Jaume Roures (MediaPro) accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress on behalf of Penelope Cruz, who was not in attendance. Allen's romantic tragicomedy shot in Barcelona and Oviedo also won Gaudís for Best Film in a Non-Catalan Language and Best Original Music, for composer Julia y los Tellarini.

Xavi Puebla's Welcome to Farewell-Gutmann saw its screenplay and supporting actor Pep Anton Muñoz also awarded. The Gaudí for Best European Film went to Javier Fesser’s Spanish production Camino [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
.

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