Spanish animation is once again shining a spotlight on one of its most influential figures. Producer, director, and screenwriter Chelo Loureiro will receive the 3rd DIBOOS Honorary Award on Friday, October 16. This accolade, presented by the Spanish Federation of Animation and Visual Effects Producers, recognizes individuals who have made a decisive contribution to the growth and international projection of the sector.
The ceremony will take place during the 18th edition of Weird Market, the market dedicated to animation, video games, and new media, which is being held this year in Sitges in collaboration with the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia. The event is scheduled for 11:30 AM at the Noray tent of the Hotel Meliá Sitges.
An award that adds to a distinguished track record
With this award, Loureiro joins a list of honorees that includes two major names in Spanish audiovisuals: filmmaker Enrique Gato, recognized in 2025, and director Pablo Berger, honored in 2024. The award seeks to highlight careers that have left a lasting mark on the national animation industry.
The choice of Loureiro comes at a time when Spanish animation is experiencing a period of growing visibility, with productions achieving recognition both at international festivals and at the main Spanish film awards.
Who is Chelo Loureiro?
Born in Ferrol (Galicia), Chelo Loureiro has an extensive career in cultural and audiovisual management. In 2007, she founded Abano Producións, the animation production company through which she has spearheaded more than 25 works, including feature films, short films, series, and documentaries.
Productions linked to her work have garnered more than 300 awards at festivals around the world, including five Goya Awards, a Gaudí Award, and thirteen Mestre Mateo Awards—figures that reflect the weight of her work within the Spanish animation ecosystem.
Titles that define her career
Among her most recognized works is Valentina (2021), her first feature film as a director, which won the Goya for Best Animated Film. She has also produced Unicorn Wars (2022), directed by Alberto Vázquez, and Sultana's Dream (2023), by Isabel Herguera, the first European animated film selected to compete in the Official Selection of the San Sebastián Film Festival and winner of the Grand Prix Contrechamp at the Annecy Festival.
More recently, Decorado (2025) won the Goya for Best Animated Film at the 2026 edition, consolidating Loureiro's presence among the most awarded producers in the genre in Spain.
A figure committed to the cultural industry
In addition to her work as a producer, Loureiro is a member of the Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences and the Galician Audiovisual Academy, and holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the Galician Audiovisual Cluster.
In 2024, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts, an institutional recognition that reinforces the impact of her career within Spanish culture.
Weird Market, the setting for the tribute
Weird Market has established itself as one of the key professional gatherings for animation, video games, and new media in Spain. Its 18th edition, held in Sitges alongside the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, includes the presentation of the DIBOOS Honorary Award as one of the highlights of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chelo Loureiro?
She is a producer, director, and screenwriter born in Ferrol, Galicia, and the founder of the animation production company Abano Producións in 2007.
What is the DIBOOS Honorary Award?
It is an award presented by DIBOOS, the Spanish Federation of Animation and Visual Effects Producers, to recognize careers that have boosted the development and international projection of Spanish animation.
When and where is the award presented to Chelo Loureiro?
The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 16, at 11:30 AM, in the Noray tent of the Hotel Meliá Sitges, as part of the Weird Market program.
What films has Chelo Loureiro produced?
Her notable productions include Valentina (2021), Unicorn Wars (2022), Sultana's Dream (2023), and Decorado (2025), all of which have been recognized at national and international festivals and awards.
Who has previously received the DIBOOS Honorary Award?
The award was previously presented to Pablo Berger in 2024 and Enrique Gato in 2025.
What is Weird Market?
It is a professional market dedicated to animation, video games, and new media, which in its 18th edition is being held in Sitges alongside the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
