Spanish Actress Karla Sofía Gascón Returns to Public Eye, Reflects on Past Controversy and Future Projects
Madrid – Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón made a notable return to the public spotlight at the 2026 Goya Awards, delivering a lighthearted appearance following a period of relative seclusion after a controversial awards season. Gascón, who received an Oscar nomination in 2025 for her role in Emilia Pérez, presented an award alongside Paco León and playfully acknowledged the attention surrounding her past interviews.
The actress, known for her candidness, briefly addressed the media during the awards ceremony, steering clear of naming favorites among this year’s nominees, stating, “They were all marvelous,” and acknowledging her role as a presenter precluded any preferential comments.
Gascón used the opportunity to champion Spanish cinema, referencing the infamous incident at the Oscars involving the misidentification of envelopes during the Best Picture announcement. “They’ll think I’m changing names, like what happened with La La Land at the Oscars. I saw it live and was… because I was with the film, I loved it,” she recounted. “But here we are with Spanish cinema, which is very beautiful. We have many things to do and we will do many better things still.”
She highlighted the unique qualities of Spanish filmmaking, emphasizing its focus on social issues and creative freedom. “Much of our cinema focuses on the social and we have more freedom when creating. That’s good. We make wonderful things that come from our imagination. In other places it’s a business and there’s a lot more ambition. Perhaps we haven’t lost all of that here.” Gascón advocated for a balance between commercially successful films and artistically driven projects, echoing a sentiment shared by a Mexican director friend: “There are two ways to make cinema: cinema you make for awards or cinema you make for the public.”
Gascón also provided updates on her upcoming projects. She announced that her new film, shot in Italy, will have its release date revealed next week. She also shared details about Trinidad, a Spanish western directed by Laura Alvea and José Ortuño, where she stars alongside Paz Vega, Gabriela Andrada, and Milena Smit. “It premieres in October and it’s going to be a Spanish film that will blow your mind. You’re going to love it. It’s half in English and half in Spanish, but I’ll just tell you that next year we’ll see each other here as nominees,” she predicted.
Adding a touch of self-deprecating humor, Gascón joked about her ability to deliver lines in English, suggesting it prevents directors from altering her dialogue. “It’s an advantage for directors that I’ve filmed in English, because that way they don’t change the phrases and I do what I want. I stick to the script, because, since I don’t understand it very well, I say: ‘Well, they must be right.’ I don’t change much and they are happier. The next film they give me will surely be in German, so I know even less.”
The actress’s appearance at the Goya Awards marks a return to public life after a period of navigating the fallout from the Oscar season’s controversies, signaling a renewed focus on her craft and upcoming cinematic endeavors.