Tena Earns Best Actress Honors at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival

Natalia Tena has gone the distance at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival

The 29-year-old Spanish actress – born and raised in England – tied Elena Anaya (Todos Estan Muertos) for best actress honors at the fest over the weekend.

Natalia Tena in Long Distance

Tena, best known for her role as wildling Osha in the HBO’s Game of Thrones, earned the honors for her performance in Carlos Marques-Marcet’s directorial debut Long Distance, which also won the top award, the Gold Biznaga, and the best director prize.

Marques-Marcet also landed the best new scriptwriter award with co-writer Clara Roquet for penning the long-distance romance with a production budget less than $690,000 (€500,000).

Distance is a Spanish-U.S. co-production between L.A based Panda Productions and Spain’s Lastor Media and will be released in Spain on May 16.

“The awards mean a huge chance for this independent movie to have success at the box office,” producer Pau Brunet said. “It’s also a triumph for a kind of independent cinema done with untraditional budgets but financed with international vision and the artistic bravery that has characterized the European art house.”

Beatriz SanchisTodos Estan Muertos, about a woman who lives with her agoraphobic daughter, also took the Silver Biznaga with a Special Jury Mention.

Other key awards included Juan Diego’s best actor honor for Anochece en la India, Yolanda Ramos’ for supporting actress in Carmina y Amen, Salva Reina and Hector Medina’s tie for supporting actor in 321 Days in Michigan and Paco Leon for screenplay for Carmina y Amen.