Octopus Skin / La piel pulpo, the second feature film by Ana Cristina Barragán, was the standout winner at the 5th edition of the Colibrí Awards, presented by the Academy of Audiovisual and Cinematographic Arts of Ecuador. The ceremony took place on Monday, November 11, at the Capitol Theater in Quito. The film earned six major awards, including Best Fiction Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Photography, and Best Production Design. Additionally, Barragán won the Best Short Film Award for Ave.
Starring Isadora Chávez and Juan Francisco Vinueza, Octopus Skin tells the story of Iris and Ariel, 17-year-old twins who live with their mother and older sister in an old house on a remote rocky island covered in mollusks and birds. Raised in isolation, the twins share a bond that transcends the usual boundaries of sibling intimacy. When their mother suddenly disappears, the siblings are left deeply scarred. Driven by a desire to break free, Iris ventures to the city alone for the first time.
Other notable winners included Sebastián Cordero’s Behind the Mist (Al otro lado de la niebla), Ecuador’s official submission for the Best International Feature Oscar, which won Best Documentary and Best Sound Design. Francisco Aguirre received the Best Actor award for his performance in Tania Hermida’s On the Invention of the Species (La invención de las especies), while Santiago Paladines’ comedic thriller Los Wánabis earned Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. Joe Houlberg’s documentary Ozogoche was recognized with the Colibrí Award for Best Editing.
