Spain’s Aitana Sánchez Gijón wins Goya of Honour 2025

The Spanish Film Academy has revealed that one of its most prestigious prizes will go to Aitana Sánchez Gijón, the first woman to preside over the institution.

Aitana Sánchez Gijón has received the highest distinction that can be awarded by the Spanish Film Academy, the Goya of Honour 2025. The award will be presented at the gala of the 39th edition of the Goya Awards to be held on 8 February in Granada.
Sánchez Gijón has expressed her surprise at receiving this award, saying that she thought she was still too “young” to be distinguished with such recognition but also stressing that “she was not thinking of rejecting it”.
The actress has a distinguished career in film, theatre and television. Although she was born in Rome, her father is Spanish and she has developed her career in Spain. She began working in the 1980s and quickly established herself as one of the most recognised actresses on the Spanish artistic scene.
She debuted on the big screen with ‘Romanza final’, but she gained widespread recognition in the 1990s with roles in films such as ‘Boca a boca’, directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira, and ‘La camarera del Titanic’, directed by Bigas Luna. These works gave her notable visibility both in Spain and abroad.
One of the most important milestones in her career was her participation in ‘A Walk in the Clouds’ (1995), a Hollywood production in which he shared the lead role with Keanu Reeves. This part allowed her to break into international cinema and establish herself as a versatile and renowned actress.
Throughout her career, Aitana has been recognised with multiple awards. In 1998, she was elected president of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the youngest person to hold that position at the time and the first woman. She has also been nominated for important awards such as the Goya Awards and has won several national and international honours during her stellar career.