The Cinematic Landmarks (LIC) catalog of the Iberian Peninsula has added eight new locations linked to the history of cinema in Spain and Portugal. The expansion was presented in Ourense during the 10th Meeting of Film and Audiovisual Academies, a forum that brings together the main institutions of the Iberian film sector each year.
The initiative is significant because it highlights real-world settings that have defined titles in both auteur cinema and major international productions, strengthening the bond between heritage, tourism, and the audiovisual memory of these territories.
Santoalla, the 2026 Galician Recognition
Among the new additions is Santoalla, a small village in the municipality of Petín, in the interior of Ourense, recognized as a 2026 Cinematic Landmark by the Galician Audiovisual Academy.
This location was the setting where director Chano Piñeiro filmed 'Sempre Xonxa' in 1989, one of the foundational films of Galician cinema and one of the first works of fiction shot in the Galician language.
Eight Academies, Eight New Spaces
The presentation of the new LICs brought together the eight academies participating in the meeting in Ourense: the Andalusian Film Academy, the Aragonese Film Academy, the Asturian Film Academy, the Catalan Film Academy, the Extremaduran Film Academy, the Galician Audiovisual Academy, the Portuguese Film Academy, and the Valencian Audiovisual Academy.
Each institution has selected a space within its territory linked to notable productions:
- Andalusia: Seville, with locations such as the Real Alcázar and the Plaza de España, featured in 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'.
- Aragon: The Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza, setting for 'Ramón y Cajal: historia de una voluntad', 'Miguel Servet, la sangre y la ceniza', 'El Cid', and 'Vampire Academy'.
- Asturias: Somiedo, a territory that has hosted shoots such as '¿Para qué sirve un oso?', 'Alma', and 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'.
- Catalonia: The Barcelona neighborhoods of Bellvitge and La Mina, linked to the 'cine quinqui' genre through titles such as 'Perros callejeros', 'Yo, El Vaquilla', and 'Tapas', as well as later productions like 'Biutiful' and 'REC 4'.
- Extremadura: The Plaza Alta in Badajoz, featured in 'La guerra empieza en Cuba', 'Lisboa', and 'Un novio para Yasmina'.
- Portugal: Sintra, setting for 'The Ninth Gate', 'The House of the Spirits', and 'Mysteries of Lisbon'.
- Valencia: Benidorm, recognizable in 'Benidorm', 'Nieva en Benidorm', 'El Inmortal', and 'Las largas sombras'.
A Joint Project That Continues to Grow
With these additions, the network of Cinematic Landmarks consolidates its nature as a shared project between academies, aimed at highlighting spaces that, due to their presence in films and audiovisual productions, are part of the cinematic memory of each territory.
The presentation was part of the program for the 10th Meeting of Film and Audiovisual Academies of the Iberian Peninsula, held in Ourense and organized by the Galician Audiovisual Academy within the framework of the Ourense Film Festival (OUFF), with the support of the Ourense Provincial Council.
A Forum for Collaboration Between Academies
This tenth edition of the meeting also served as a space for exchange between the academies of Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, Portugal, and Valencia, which shared experiences, identified common challenges, and explored new avenues for collaboration within the Iberian audiovisual sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cinematic Landmark (LIC)?
It is a recognition granted by film academies to real-world spaces that have served as settings for significant film shoots, with the goal of highlighting their heritage value and their link to the history of cinema in each territory.
Which academies participate in this initiative?
The Andalusian Film Academy, the Aragonese Film Academy, the Asturian Film Academy, the Catalan Film Academy, the Extremaduran Film Academy, the Galician Audiovisual Academy, the Portuguese Film Academy, and the Valencian Audiovisual Academy participate.
Why was Santoalla recognized?
Because this village in the municipality of Petín, in Ourense, was the setting where 'Sempre Xonxa', directed by Chano Piñeiro, was filmed in 1989, which is considered one of the foundational works of cinema in the Galician language.
Where were the new LICs presented?
The presentation took place in Ourense, during the 10th Meeting of Film and Audiovisual Academies of the Iberian Peninsula, held within the framework of the Ourense Film Festival (OUFF).
What other locations have been added to the catalog?
New additions include Seville, the Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza, Somiedo in Asturias, the neighborhoods of Bellvitge and La Mina in Barcelona, the Plaza Alta in Badajoz, Sintra in Portugal, and Benidorm.
