The queer historical drama directed by Los Javis wins audience acclaim and prepares for UK theatrical release.
‘La Bola Negra,’ a queer historical drama directed by the Spanish duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, collectively known as Los Javis, has won the Audience Award at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival. The announcement was made on November 4, 2026, following the festival’s conclusion last month.
The film features a star-studded cast including Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, and Miguel Bernardeau, and it has garnered significant attention since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. It explores themes of queer identity and forbidden love through the interconnected lives of three men across different eras: 1932, 1937, and 2017.
In a joint statement, Calvo and Ambrossi expressed their gratitude, stating, “We are absolutely delighted that ‘La Bola Negra’ has won the BFI London Film Festival Audience Award. It was a real pleasure to bring the film to London in October, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who came to see it and voted for us. To receive this recognition from audiences is particularly meaningful.”
‘La Bola Negra’ has also been nominated for Best International Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) and is set to be released in UK and Irish cinemas on November 6, 2026. Additionally, Spain has selected the film as its official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
The film’s narrative is inspired by the unfinished works of renowned Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, alongside a play by Alberto Conejero. The ensemble cast also includes Lola Dueñas, Carlos González, and Guitarricadelafuente, who makes his feature film acting debut.
Since its debut, ‘La Bola Negra’ has achieved impressive box office success, surpassing $43 million globally, and it previously won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, further solidifying its status as a significant contender in the awards circuit.
