Pablos’ “Las Elegidas” Picks Up Five Ariel Awards

David Pablos is the chosen one…

The 32-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s Las Elegidas, a drama about a teenage girl forced into prostitution, proved to be the big winner at the 58th Ariel Awards, Mexico’s version of the Oscars.

David Pablos

Produced by Canana Films, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna’s production company, Las Elegidas earned Pablos the Best Director and Best Original Screenplay awards.

The film, which had its world premiere last year in the Cannes Film Festival‘s Un Certain Regard, was also named Best Picture.

In all, writer-director Pablos’ film won five Ariels on Saturday night in Mexico City, including cinematography and breakthrough performance for actress Nancy Talamantes.

Also winning five awards was Gloria, Christian Keller‘s biopic about controversial Mexican pop icon Gloria Trevi. Gloria won best actor and actress for performances by Marco Perez (Amores Perros) and Sofia Espinosa.

Best Ibero-American picture went to Ciro Guerra‘s Amazon jungle-set Embrace of the Serpent, which made history last year when it became Colombia’s first film to ever receive an Oscar nomination.

Lifetime achievement awards were handed to veteran filmmaker Paul Leduc and Rosita Quintana, an actress known for her work during Mexico’s golden age of cinema.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Picture: Las Elegidas
Director: David Pablos (Las Elegidas)
Actor: Marco Perez (Gloria)
Actress: Sofia Espinosa (Gloria)
Supporting Actor: Noe Hernandez (600 Millas)
Supporting Actress: Adriana Paz (Hilda)
Breakthrough Performance (Actor): Martin Castro (El Jeremias)
Breakthrough Performance (Actress): Nancy Talamantes (Las Elegidas)
Cinematography: Las Elegidas
Original Screenplay: Las Elegidas
Adapted Screenplay: Un Monstruo de Mil Cabezas
Ibero-American Picture: El Abrazo de la Serpiente
Documentary: El Hombre Que Vio Demasiado
Animated Picture: La Increible Historia del Nino de Piedra
First Work: 600 Millas
Production Design: Mexican Gangster
Costume Design: Mexican Gangster
Makeup: Gloria
Original Score: El Hombre Que Vio Demasiado
Sound: Gloria
Editing: Gloria
Special Effects: Mexican Gangster
Visual Effects: Mexican Gangster
Short Fiction Film: Tremulo
Short Documentary: Ausencias
Short Animated Film: Zimbo