Malaga's city center with red carpet and star display. In foreground actress Goya Toleda

A delegation from the HFPA witnessed the celebration of its 17th annual Film Festival by the Andalusian city of Malaga, Spain.

The main artery of the city center, the Calle Larios, was covered with an expansive red carpet flanked by an alley of photo displays showing visiting celebrities. Ancient city squares were filled with open-air concerts, performances and screenings which turned the entire city of Malaga into one big festival showcase.

Films from Ireland to Russia and Pakistan but especially from Spanish speaking countries competed for the roster of prizes and entries from local talent were greeted with special pride and fan support. One was Enrique Garcia’s 321 days in Michigan (321 dias en Michigan), a film made by a purely Malaga-born team of actors, actresses and producers.

Two ladies of the international film scene drew the most attention: Natalia Tena (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones) and Maribel Verdu (Pan's Labyrinth, Y Tu Mama Tambien), who won the Premio Malaga-Sur Award.

After accepting the prize, Ms Verdu, accompanied by Malaga’s Mayor Francisco de la Torre, unveiled the plaque in her honor, adorned with her hand print on Malaga’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Paseo Maritimo Antonio Banderas.

The HFPA regularly sends delegations to major film festivals as part of an effort to establish favorable relations and cultural ties between foreign countries and the film industry of the US.

—-Elmar Biebl