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‘La Bola Negra’ Wins Audience Award at London Film Festival
Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s queer historical drama “La Bola Negra” has won the audience award at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival. The win follows sold-out screenings at its 8 October UK premiere and adds to the film’s recognition ahead of its UK release.
The film follows three men connected across 1932, 1937 and 2017, exploring queer identity, forbidden love and how personal histories are preserved or erased. Its cast includes Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close and Miguel Bernardeau; Spain has selected it as its 2027 Academy Awards international feature submission, and it is also nominated for a BIFA. UK and Irish cinema release is scheduled for 6 November.
In short
- “La Bola Negra” won the 2026 BFI London Film Festival audience award.
- The drama spans three periods: 1932, 1937 and 2017.
- Spain selected it as its 2027 Academy Awards submission.
Explained simply
The BFI London Film Festival is an annual film event in the UK, where audiences can see new films from Britain and around the world. Its audience award is decided by festival-goers, so it reflects the response of people who attended screenings.
“La Bola Negra” is a Spanish film by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Its story links three men in 1932, 1937 and 2017, looking at queer lives and relationships, and at how records of people’s pasts can be kept or lost.
The film features Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close and Miguel Bernardeau. Spain has chosen it as its submission for the international feature category at the 2027 Academy Awards, and it is due in UK and Irish cinemas on 6 November.
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