The 18th edition of FesTVal, the television festival of Vitoria-Gasteiz, announced on Friday, August 21, 2026, the recipients of its annual awards recognising the most prominent personalities, programmes, and fiction series on Spanish television over the past season.
The festival is scheduled to take place from September 7 to September 12, 2026, in the Basque capital, with the main awards presentation set for Saturday, September 12, at the Europa Congress Palace.
Among the key individual honourees, presenter Jesús Cintora was awarded for his work hosting Malas lenguas, while journalist Cristina Pardo was recognised for her 20-year career associated with network laSexta. Young actress Sofía Otero received the AISGE/FesTVal Award for Outstanding Performance.
Major Broadcasters and Career Tributes
State broadcaster RTVE received special recognition marking the 70th anniversary of TVE, commemorating the history of its regular broadcasts since 1956 through to its current multi-platform network.
The festival's Joan Ramón Mainat Awards were conferred upon television host El Gran Wyoming, journalist Pepa Bueno, producer César Benítez, and the long-running dating show First Dates. Media executive Mikel Lejarza was awarded the EITB Saria Award.
Fiction Series and Entertainment Awards
In television drama, Spanish daily series Valle Salvaje was recognised for its contribution to daily fiction and its international expansion. Streaming series Yakarta, broadcast on Movistar Plus+, won an award for narrative bravery.
Comedy-drama series Se tiene que morir mucha gente was honoured for adapting the publishing phenomenon created by Victoria Martín into a television show. In prime-time entertainment, Telecinco reality show Casados a primera vista was rewarded for its broadcast success, while current affairs programme Horizonte was recognised for its ratings performance and consolidation on Cuatro.
Late Night, Regional and Digital Media Winners
Interview format Cara al Show, presented by Marc Giró on laSexta, gained recognition alongside ETB1 programme Gaupasa, which was celebrated for renewing late-night television.
In regional broadcasting, the FesTVal FORTA Awards were granted to production Ailoviu, culinary show La Cuina de Morera, and regional broadcaster Aragón TV for its coverage of the February 8 regional elections. Digital content creators Xuso Jones and Ana Brito received the New Windows Award for their podcast Poco se habla.
