The nominations for the Forqué Awards were announced this Thursday. The presentation and reading of nominations was moderated by journalist Yolanda Flores, accompanied by Vicky Luengo, Álvaro Mel, Santiago Segura and Gracia Querejeta.

In the category of best feature film of fiction and/or animation we commended El buen patrón, Madres Paralelas, Maixabel and Mediterráneo.

The actresses competing for the award in the Best Female Actress category are Blanca Portillo, for Maixabel; Marta Nieto, for Tres; Penélope Cruz, for Madres Paralelas; and Petra Martínez, for La vida era eso. In the men’s category, Eduard Fernández for Mediterráneo; Javier Bardem for El buen patrón; Luis Tosar for Maixabel; and Urko Olazabal for Maixabel.

MoMA will pay tribute to Spanish actress Penélope Cruz at its annual Film Benefit.

The Museum of  Modern Art in New York (MoMA) revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 9 that this year’s annual Film Benefit will pay tribute to Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. The event will be held at a gala where the prestigious institution will raise funds for its Film Department.

“Penélope Cruz has wowed cinema audiences since 1992 as a compelling performer in both action and adventure films and auteur films,” said Rajendra Roy, curator of MoMa Cinema in a press release.

MoMA highlights Penélope Cruz as the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar for her role in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and also  her recent Volpi Award for ‘Best Actress’ at the Venice Film Festival for her role in Madres Paralelas, a film yet to premiere in U.S. theaters on December 24.

As part of the tribute, on Dec. 15 the MoMa will screen Madres Paralelas, a film that, according to the museum, has cemented the actress as “an artist of global importance.”

To honor the Spanish actress, the museum will hold the presentation of five films starring Penelope Cruz, the screenings will run from November 19 to 30, and films such as Everybody Knows (2018), Volver (2006) and Blow (2001) will be shown.

 Principal photography has begun on Penélope Cruz drama On The Fringe (En Los Márgenes), directed by Juna Diego Botto, and written by Botto and Olga Rodríguez.

Currently filming on location in Madrid, the Spanish-language film stars an ensemble cast which includes Oscar winner Cruz (Pain and Glory), Luis Tosar (Miami Vice), Aixa Villagrán (Loco Por Ella), Adelfa Calvo (Madres Paralelas), Nur Levi (Hablar) and Christian Checa. Told over the course of one day, the movie will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Cell 211 star Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.

The film is a Spanish-Belgian co-production and is produced by Cruz and Álvaro Longoria for Morena Films. The duo recently teamed up on Asghar Farhadi’s Cannes title Everybody Knows. Co-producers are Amazon Prime Video and RTVE with the support of Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Spanish distribution will be handled by Squirrel Media’s film distribution arm, Vértice Cine, which will release theatrically. Amazon Prime has first window rights in Spain after the theatrical bow.

Bankside Films is handling international sales rights, with Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green of Bankside Films serving as executive producers. Bankside will continue to sell the film at next week’s virtual AFM. The film marks actor Juan Diego Botto’s directorial debut after recent performances in movies including The Suicide Squad and Netflix series White Lines.

Penélope Cruz’s upcoming movie, The 355, has been moved back on the release schedule. Variety is reporting that the female-led heist thriller, will now be opening in 2022, versus the January 2021 release it had planned.