On Saturday, June 21, before the screening of Parallel Consequences – this year’s Fantboi -winning film – the first Itziar Castro Award was presented to film director Rocío Mesa for her powerful female voice in the fantasy scene.
«Thank you to the Fantboi Festival team for welcoming me with such warmth and for making this space for community building possible around the love of cinema«, were Rocío Mesa’s words upon receiving the award, » receiving the First Itziar Castro Prize is an immense honor and also a responsibility. Itziar was an artist who broke the mold, a free and generous woman who used her voice to pave the way for others. I hope this award inspires more women to create without fear, to be true to their vision and to take their place without having to justify themselves.
I want to dedicate this recognition to two colleagues without whom Secaderos would not have a fantastic heart: Montse Ribé and David Martí, from DDT, the creators of La Nico, the creature that inhabits our story. As I call them, the heads of magic. Their sensitivity, their talent and their infinite generosity have left a profound mark on cinema, and especially on this genre. They gave me one of the most beautiful gifts of my career and this award goes to them.
Thank you, Fantboi, for keeping it alive.» the legacy of Itziar Castro (whom I would have loved to meet in person) and for reminding us that fantasy can and should also be feminist, political, tender, and human. Thank you from the bottom of my heart .»
This moving speech was greeted with applause by the large audience in attendance, who hope that more awards will be given to female directors of the fantasy genre in future years.
