The Carla Simón Legacy: Almost a Decade From ‘Summer 1993,’ Catalonia Continues to Generate Striking New Talent

Almost a decade on from Carla Simón’s striking “Summer 1993”, which amassed three Goya Awards, five Gaudí Awards, won best first feature at Berlin, and the Golden Biznaga in Málaga, Catalonia continues to prove itself a leading European talent export. Simón went on to win the coveted Golden Bear with her sophomore feature “Alcarrás” in 2022 and, just a year later, another Catalan production made waves in Berlin, with Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s feature debut “20,000 Species of Bees” winning the Silver Bear for best leading performance.

Simón swapped Berlin for Cannes this year, where “Romería” played in competition alongside another significant Catalan production in Oliver Laxe’s “Sirât.” The latter won the Jury Prize ex-aequo, secured U.S. distribution by major powerhouse Neon, and has recently been selected as Spain’s entry for the best international feature Oscar. But, while established young Catalan talent continues to rise, 2025 brought yet…