Xcaret Hosts Stars at the Platino Awards

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The 13th edition of the Premios Platino officially got underway this week in the Riviera Maya with an expanded opening gala that signals how much the event has grown in both scale and ambition.

For the first time in its history, the awards introduced a separate ceremony dedicated to technical categories, where 21 of the 36 total trophies were presented ahead of the main event. The move mirrors formats used by larger international ceremonies and reflects the increasing complexity and production value of Ibero-American film and television.

While the winners had already been announced, the midweek gala served as a formal kickoff to the awards, which will culminate in the main ceremony at the Gran Tlachco Theater inside Xcaret Park—one of the region’s most recognizable cultural venues.

What Are the Platino Awards?

Often described as the “Ibero-American Oscars,” the Platino Awards were created in 2014 by the EGEDA in collaboration with the FIPCA. Their goal is to recognize and promote film and television produced in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, spanning Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.

Over the past decade, the awards have become a key platform for showcasing the region’s creative output, helping projects gain international visibility in an industry increasingly shaped by global streaming platforms.

This year’s edition once again brings together actors, directors, producers, and creators from across the Ibero-American world, turning the Riviera Maya into a temporary hub for the industry.

Early Winners Set the Tone

In the television categories, the Argentine series El Eternauta emerged as a major winner, taking home five technical awards. Based on the iconic graphic novel by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, the series has been widely anticipated as one of the most ambitious adaptations in recent Argentine television.

The Spanish series Anatomía de un instante followed with four awards, continuing the strong presence of Spanish productions in this year’s competition.

These early wins highlight a broader trend in the region’s audiovisual industry: increasing investment in high-quality series production, often driven by partnerships with international platforms.

A Stage for More Than Awards

Hosted by Colombian actor Carlos Torres and Spanish actress Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, the gala leaned into a more reflective tone, with many winners using their acceptance speeches to emphasize collaboration, social responsibility, and the cultural role of storytelling.

Argentine actress Camila Plaate, recognized for her role in the film Belén, spoke about values such as courage, love, and resilience as central to both cinema and life. Her comments echoed a recurring theme throughout the evening: a pushback against individualism in favor of collective creative work.

Spanish actor Álvaro Cervantes, who won Best Male Actor in a Feature Film for Sorda, used his moment on stage to advocate for greater accessibility in cinema, calling for more subtitled and inclusive content.

Other notable winners included Andrea Pietra and César Troncoso for their work in El Eternauta.

Cinema, Culture, and the Riviera Maya

Before the gala concluded, Belén was also recognized with the Cinema and Education in Values Award, accepted by Plaate alongside actress-director Dolores Fonzi and producer Leticia Cristi.

The decision to host the Platino Awards in the Riviera Maya for consecutive years reflects a broader strategy to position the region as more than just a tourism destination. Events like this bring international attention, industry professionals, and media coverage, reinforcing the area’s role as a cultural as well as leisure hub.

Looking Ahead

With the technical awards now presented, attention turns to the main ceremony, where the most high-profile categories—including Best Film, Best Director, and acting awards—will be announced.

For audiences unfamiliar with the Platino Awards, this week offers a glimpse into a fast-evolving film and television landscape that extends well beyond Hollywood. And for the Riviera Maya, it’s another moment in the spotlight—this time, on a global cultural stage.