Latin America's Biggest Stars Gather in the Jungle for Awards Night Glory

The Platino Awards pulled off something rare on May 9, 2026: a major international awards ceremony that didn’t feel like a stuffy indoor affair. Instead, the Gran Tlachco Theater at Xcaret Park in Mexico’s Riviera Maya became a celebration of Ibero-American film and television that blended red carpet glamour with live music, emotional tributes, and the energy of a festival rather than a formal gala.

Brazil’s The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, dominated the evening with seven awards across the film categories. The political thriller—set during Brazil’s military dictatorship and exploring themes of surveillance and survival—took home Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, among other wins. Wagner Moura claimed Best Actor for his performance, cementing the film as one of the standout achievements in Ibero-American cinema. Mendonça Filho’s emotional acceptance speeches throughout the night underscored what makes the Platino Awards distinct: a genuine celebration of collaborative artistry rather than just trophy distribution.

But the television side stole the show in terms of sheer awards count. Argentina’s The Eternaut led across the miniseries categories with eight wins total, making it the most awarded title of the entire evening. Based on the classic Argentine science fiction comic created by Héctor Oesterheld between 1957 and 1959, the series adapted a piece of Latin American cultural history for a new generation. Ricardo Darín earned Best Actor for the role, while César Troncoso and Andrea Pietra took supporting acting honors. In an exclusive moment, Pietra shared that the role forced her to dive deep within herself to confront fear in unknown places—a testament to the ambitious production values the region is capable of achieving.

The night also crowned fresh talent and celebrated lasting legacies. Spanish actress Blanca Soroa, just 17 years old, won Best Actress for Los Domingos in a moment that captured the emotional heart of the ceremony as she reflected on her first major role. Mexican actress Paulina Gaitán earned Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Series for Las Muertas, visibly overwhelmed as she celebrated a win recognizing her willingness to pursue challenging, transformative characters. And Argentine actor Guillermo Francella received the Platino de Honor—a lifetime achievement award that prompted him to reflect on passion and collaboration, reminding the room that nobody makes it alone.

Hosted by Colombian actor Carlos Torres and Spanish actress Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, the ceremony refused to stay static. Performances by Argentine María Becerra, Colombian Camilo, and Spanish Manuel Carrasco transformed the night into something between a concert and an awards show, with the jungle setting amplifying the festival atmosphere. By the time the final guests began to leave, the Riviera Maya venue had hosted not just an awards ceremony but a full-scale cultural moment—one that will return to Madrid next year, continuing the Platino Awards’tradition of rotating between Spain and Mexico in service of celebrating the best work from across the Spanish- and Portuguese-language world.