'What's Left of You' by Gala García Triumphs at Alicante Film Festival with the Golden Tile

"What's Left of You," the debut feature by director Gala Gracia, has won the Golden Tile for Best Film at the 22nd edition of the Alicante International Film Festival, which held its closing gala today. The award comes with a prize of 3,000 euros. The gala, which concludes a week of screenings and activities centered around the seventh art, was held at the Teatro Principal.

"What's Left of You," the debut feature by director Gala Gracia, was the most awarded film at this edition of the Alicante International Film Festival. In addition to the Golden Tile, the film received the Silver Tile for Best Actress for Laia Manzanares, the Silver Tile for Best Cinematography for Michele Paradi, and the Sergio Balseyro Critics' Award. Director Gala Gracia and producer Carlo d'Ursi collected their awards, while Michele Paradi and Laia Manzanares sent a video message of thanks as they could not attend the gala.

"What's Left of You" tells the story of Sara, a 25-year-old about to record a jazz album in New York. After her father's death, she returns to her hometown in the Aragonese Pyrenees. There, she inherits a farm and a flock of sheep with her sister. Overcome with guilt for not being with her father in his final years, she rejects the proposal to sell the flock and decides to preserve his legacy. Sara is determined to fight for it, even if it means giving up the musical career she has worked so hard for.

The Silver Tile for Best Director was awarded to Juan Albarracín for "The Instinct," a feature film that also won the Silver Tile for Best Actor, awarded ex aequo to its two protagonists: Javier Pereira and Fernando Cayo.

This edition awarded a special prize for documentary feature to "Mar Menor, Major Trouble" by director Carlos Velasco. An emotional journey through the history of the Mar Menor, a work that reveals how this unique landscape combines paradise with concern for the deterioration of its fragile ecosystem.

This evening, composer Luis Ivars was honoured with the Music for Image award, and costume designer Paco Delgado received the Fashion Cinema award. Both accepted their awards with emotion and surprises.

Rafael Maluenda presented Luis Ivars with his award after reviewing his career as a composer of film scores. In turn, Ivars surprised the audience in the best way he knows, with music. Sonia Grande, the first recipient of the Fashion Cinema Award, surprised Paco Delgado, the Canary Islands designer, winner of two Goya Awards and twice Oscar-nominated, who received this award with gratitude and excitement.

In the short film section, the jury awarded the prize for Best National Fiction Short Film, worth 1,000 euros and eligible for the 2026 Goya Awards, to "Pálpito" by Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera. The Best Actor award went to Manuel Canchal for "Cólera," Best Actress to Teresa del Olmo for "Frío en las manos," and Best Director to María Algora and Mikel Bustamante for the short "What is Not Seen."

Meanwhile, the Best International Fiction Short Film from Casa Mediterráneo was awarded to "Cinquantadue" by Andrea Bernardini and Sebastiano Casella from Italy. The Best National Animation Short Film award went to "La valla" by Sam Orti, which will be eligible for the 2026 Goya Awards.

The Aguas de Alicante Award for Environmental-themed Short Film, new in this edition, was awarded to "La huella del barro" by Rodrigo Márquez, with a prize of 1,500 euros. This same short film also won the award for Best Documentary Short Film, making it eligible for the 2026 Goya Awards. The Best LGTBI Short Film is "Piruletas" by Carlos Martínez. Finally, the Audience Award for Best Short Film in the Alicante Cinema section was given to "Calcetines" by Sergio Checa.

The 22nd edition of the Alicante International Film Festival concludes with this gala, wrapping up eight days with a hundred screenings of feature films, short films, and invited films. A successful edition that filled the theatres with humour, drama, critique, and satire.