Carmen Machi Receives Spain's 2026 National Film Prize
Carmen Machi has collected Spain's 2026 National Film Prize at the San Sebastian Festival.
She received the Premio Nacional de Cinematografía, Spain's state honour for cinema, from Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun on 19 September, according to Spain's Ministry of Culture.
The prize is presented by the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), an agency under the Ministry of Culture. It was launched by the Ministry in 1980 and carries a €30,000 ($34,437) award, Variety reported.
The Ministry had announced in June that Machi would be this year's recipient. The handover took place during the festival in San Sebastian.
Festival listings scheduled a 15-minute tribute to Machi at Gala Kursaal 1 at 22:15, with prior accreditation through the Ministry required for access, according to the San Sebastian Festival. The Ministry said the wider presentation event was held at Tabakalera.
Machi is known to television viewers for leading roles in Siete vidas, Aída and Celeste, Público reported. That small-screen career has run alongside extensive work in film and theatre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Machi said: "I've always been fascinated by cinema." She recalled recreating film scenes alone in her room as a child, standing in front of a mirror and trying to feel what the protagonist felt. She often ended up in tears.
She added: "This profession has given me a wonderful life. It is and has been the driving force of my happiness and also a balm for my darkest moments."
For fans who first met her in a living-room comedy, this is a full-circle moment. A childhood spent copying the movies now recognised by Spanish cinema's highest state award.
