A Coruña is set to reaffirm its status as the capital of Galician audiovisual with the upcoming 25th edition of the Mestre Mateo Awards, scheduled for 27 February at Palexco. The announcement was made during a press conference featuring A Coruña's mayor, Inés Rey, and the president of the Galician Academy of Audiovisual, Lucía Veiga.
This gala marks the return of the awards to the city, which has hosted fourteen editions throughout its history, underscoring the strong connection between A Coruña and the prestigious Galician audiovisual accolades. The first ceremony in the city took place in 2006, also at Palexco, with subsequent events held at venues such as Teatro Colón, Palacio de la Ópera, ExpoCoruña, and Coliseum.
Mayor Inés Rey expressed her delight at hosting such a significant edition of the awards. "A Coruña has a historical relationship with the Mestre Mateo Awards and with Galician audiovisual. Welcoming this gala back, especially on its 25th anniversary, is fantastic news for the city and the entire cultural sector in A Coruña," she stated. Rey highlighted the current flourishing state of Galician audiovisual and the city's role within this creative ecosystem. "A Coruña is deeply linked to cinema and audiovisual creation. It is where some of the earliest cinematic images in Spain were born, and we continue to be a filming location, home to talented professionals, and a meeting point for the Galician cultural industry."
Lucía Veiga, president of the Galician Academy of Audiovisual, emphasised the special bond the organisation has with A Coruña, where it held its first founding assembly 25 years ago. "From that first moment, the collaboration and strategic vision of the city council were crucial in establishing our permanent headquarters here and building a significant part of our history. The Mestre Mateo Awards have also had a strong foundation and a reference point in A Coruña since their inception," she noted.
Veiga recalled that after several itinerant editions that brought the gala to various Galician cities, this 25th edition is a special occasion to return home. "In such a significant year, we were clear that we had to come back. Celebrating 25 years is a milestone that deserves a celebration worthy of it. We want this edition to honour all those who have contributed to Galician audiovisual and, at the same time, celebrate the future of our sector."
The 2027 edition will hold particular significance as it marks a quarter of a century since the awards were established. Over the years, the Mestre Mateo Awards have become a major cultural reference in Galicia, showcasing excellence, innovation, and diversity within the Galician audiovisual sector.
In addition to the gala, A Coruña will host a series of parallel activities related to Galician audiovisual in the coming weeks, aimed at bringing the celebration closer to the public and opening new spaces for interaction between professionals and audiences. Mayor Rey stated that this event reinforces A Coruña's position as one of the major cultural cities in the northwestern region of Spain. "The Mestre Mateo Awards are much more than just a prize-giving ceremony. They are a collective celebration of Galician talent and an opportunity to recognise the work of a sector that projects our culture both within and beyond Galicia. A Coruña will welcome them with the excitement of a city that knows audiovisual is part of its identity and future."
The Mestre Mateo Awards annually recognise the best works and professionals in Galician audiovisual, making them one of the most significant events on the cultural calendar of the region.
