Directing team Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, known as Los Javis, won Toronto’s 2026 Audience Award with their latest film for Netflix, La Bola Negra. This prize comes after winning Cannes Best Director in May after their 16 minute standing ovation there, as well as being honored by the Critics Choice Awards 6th Annual Celebración of Cinema & Television on October 2nd.
The film is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s unfinished work of the same name, and as Variety reports, “moves among 1932, 1937 and 2017, following three generations of gay men across nearly a century of Spanish history.” While Spain’s official Oscar entry is a likely nominee in International Film categories during award season, Variety goes on to point out that the Audience Award increases the likelihood of more wins in Best Picture categories across the board.
The duo’s prior work includes Netflix’s hit Paquita Salas, as well as HBO’s Veneno, among others.
La Bola Negra stars Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, Julio Torres, Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close, and is set to play in US and Canadian theaters on October 16th, and then stream on Netflix starting December 2nd.
See the full list of CCA 6th Annual Celebración of Cinema & Television honorees HERE.